stoice Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 I've always given my girls the occasional cherry tomato from the garden, especially if they've split from my irregular watering A chicken keeping friend of my mums told her we 'shouldn't be giving tomatoes to the chickens, they're from the nightshade family and poisonous to chickens'. Apparently the breeder chap she got her chooks from told her this. Yes they're from the nightshade family, but i've never heard there could be a problem giving them tomatoes. (I don't give loads at a time BTW, just a cherry tom each, maybe once a week if available.) Can someone shed any light? I've been giving tomatoes to various chooks for years and had no ill effects. I'd hate to think I'm harming them in any way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 They are part of the nightshade family, as are peppers, but mine eat Tomatoes with no issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazzy73 Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 My lot demolished my tomato plant in 5 mins flat and they are all ok,never heard of not giving chooks tomatos just not sugary or salty food,my lot have had allsorts of leftovers etc and all are ok if anything they lay better after some leftovers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Mine get all the split tomatoes from the greenhouse, never had a problem. If it comes to that, deadly nightshade is poisonous to humans, too, but we eat potatoes and tomatoes! The sight of one chicken snatching up a cherry tomato and then being chased by her sisters is one of the joys of chicken-keeping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted October 6, 2011 Author Share Posted October 6, 2011 I especially love seeing them trying to swallow one whole and it doesn't fit! It's so funny glug glug glug! Glad all is ok. I wondered if it would be like giving them avacado or like chocolate and grapes for dogs. Somethings we humans can have but they must not. Phew. Just for this worry I'm going to give them a tomato each tomorrow for a breakfast treat. Thanks guys. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
