Can Chickens Have Tomato Plants?

Tomatoes are a popular garden crop, but can you safely let your chickens roam around your tomato plants? The short answer is that it depends. While tomatoes themselves are not toxic to chickens, other parts of the plant can be harmful. Let's take a closer look at the different parts of the tomato plant and how they may affect your flock.

Tomato Leaves and Stems

The leaves and stems of tomato plants contain a chemical compound called tomatine, which can be toxic to chickens if ingested in large enough quantities. The good news is that chickens are unlikely to eat enough leaves and stems to make them sick, especially if they have access to other food sources. However, if you notice your chickens tearing apart your tomato plants and eating a lot of leaves and stems, it may be best to fence off the area or keep them away from the plants.

Tomato Fruit

The actual fruit of the tomato plant, including the flesh and seeds, is safe for chickens to eat in moderation. In fact, many chicken owners feed their flocks overripe or damaged tomatoes as a treat. It's important to note, however, that tomatoes are high in acidity, so feeding them to your chickens in large quantities may upset their stomachs or cause digestive issues.

Green Tomatoes

Green tomatoes – those that haven't fully ripened – contain higher levels of tomatine than fully ripe tomatoes, and can be more harmful to chickens if eaten in large quantities. Some chicken owners refrain from feeding green tomato fruit or scraps to their flock, while others argue that occasional small amounts are unlikely to cause harm. It's best to err on the side of caution and limit their consumption or avoid feeding green tomatoes altogether.

Conclusion

In conclusion, can chickens have tomato plants? The answer is yes, with a few caveats. Chickens can safely eat ripe tomato fruit, but other parts of the plant such as leaves and stems should be avoided or fed in moderation. Green tomatoes should also be fed sparingly, if at all. If you want to keep your chickens safe while they roam around your garden, it's best to supervise them and fence off any plants you're concerned about.