Hazel_L Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 (edited) just how toxic is avocado to chickens ? Had pasta salad for tea with avocado in and there was a bit left over... OH reckons he picked all the bits out but gave the chooks the leftovers... I heard him shut the back door but by the time I'd yelled "don't give it to the chickens" he had and they'd scoffed it There was probably a trace in it - y'know the way it mushes up ? How worried should I be ? Gutted as we're emigrating in 4 days with our girlies and I don't want to go out in the morning and find 3 bodies Ta Edited October 3, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJuff Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 AHHHH! What's wrong with chucks eating avocado? I gave mine some left overs last week and they seem fime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 It's really not a good idea I'm afraid. Avocado is definitely poisonous for parrots and someone posted on another forum a few days ago about how her ducklings keeled over and died after eating it. Better safe than sorry I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 ... but don't be too worried Hazel, other people on here have accidentally fed avocado to their chickens and they have survived. I should think a few bits mashed up in pasta will be ok. I'm sure they will still be there to emigrate with you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Don't worry too much. I was unaware of the danger of avocado and as they seemed to adore it I was giving it them regularly as a treat. When I mentioned this on the forum it was pointed out to me that it was poisonous to animals and birds. They were as fit as could be but I stopped feeding it. I am sure yours will be fine ! Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazel_L Posted October 4, 2007 Author Share Posted October 4, 2007 well they're still alive relief doesn't even begin to describe the feeling !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 I didn't know avocado could be poisonous to chickens . Is there anything else that is dangerous for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 The are loads of sites on 'tinerweb stating that avocado is poisonous to chickens......some go into a bit more detail and state that it's the skin and the pit.....but none of them say why exactly, or what the particular poison is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazel_L Posted October 4, 2007 Author Share Posted October 4, 2007 from reading about it last night, the nasty toxin is called Persin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Wow, that is interesting. It says: "In birds, the symptoms are: increased heart rate, myocardial tissue damage, labored breathing, disordered plumage, unrest, weakness, and apathy. High doses cause acute respiratory syndrome (asphyxia), with death approximately 12 to 24 hours after consumption." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing Gal Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Horrible stuff anyway - never touch gruesome avocado myself. the poultry place that is selling us our girls told us not to let them eat rhubarb. Luckily I never touch that yucky stuff either so shouldn't accidently give them some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Hi all, Thought you'd need to know that persin is the 'common name' for .... wait for it..... (+)-(Z,Z)-acetoxy-2-hydroxy-12,15-heniecosedien-4-one Its believed to be a natural insecticide/fungicide. Its produced in avocado plant cells in the leaves and fruit. My semi-educated (I was only half listening) guess is that levels of the toxin will be higher in the skin than the flesh but, given that the avocado is quite 'fatty' (mainly mono-unsaturated so quite good for you in small doses) it would not be a good idea to give it to an animal who's digestive system isn't up to the job so to speak. Best avoided for definate! Loz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Hi all, Thought you'd need to know that persin is the 'common name' for .... wait for it..... (+)-(Z,Z)-acetoxy-2-hydroxy-12,15-heniecosedien-4-one Thought as much! It smells a funny colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkate Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 It's also a welsh railway station I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 I gave some to Bizmillah when she was recovering from her crop op and she is still with us............I think ignorance may be an antidote! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
