Will Chickens Eat Tomato Plants?

If you're a chicken owner or gardener, you might be wondering if chickens will eat tomato plants. The short answer is yes, chickens will eat tomato plants. However, there are a few things to consider before giving your chickens free rein in your garden.

Why Do Chickens Eat Tomato Plants?

Chickens are omnivores and will eat just about anything they can get their beaks on. Tomato plants, especially the leaves and stems, are actually quite nutritious for chickens. They contain vitamins and minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.

However, chickens are not picky eaters and will also eat unripe tomatoes or even ripe tomatoes that have fallen off the vine. This can be problematic if you are trying to grow tomatoes for your own consumption.

The Risks of Chickens Eating Tomato Plants

While tomato plants can provide some nutritional benefits, there are also risks involved with letting your chickens eat them. Tomato plants are part of the nightshade family, which means they contain a toxic alkaloid called solanine. This compound is found in high concentrations in the leaves and stems of the plant, but can also be present in unripe green tomatoes.

Chickens can tolerate small amounts of solanine, but too much can cause illness or even death. Symptoms of solanine poisoning in chickens include lethargy, diarrhea, and vomiting. In severe cases, chickens may experience difficulty breathing, seizures, or paralysis.

Another risk of letting chickens eat tomato plants is that they may eat the fruits before they are fully ripe. This can result in a waste of your harvest and may also lead to digestive issues for your chickens.

Preventing Chickens from Eating Tomato Plants

If you want to grow tomato plants without worrying about your chickens eating them, there are a few strategies you can use:

Use physical barriers: Put up a fence or netting around your garden to keep your chickens out. You can also cover your tomato plants with a cage or individual covers.

Provide alternative food sources: Make sure your chickens have plenty of other foods to eat, such as grains, vegetables, and fruits. This will reduce their interest in eating your tomato plants.

Train your chickens: Chickens can be trained to avoid certain areas or plants. Try using a water spray or other deterrent to discourage your chickens from eating your tomato plants.

Conclusion

Chickens will eat tomato plants, but it's not necessarily a good idea to let them do so. While tomato plants can provide some nutritional benefits, they also contain a toxic compound that can be harmful to chickens in large amounts. To prevent your chickens from eating your tomato plants, use physical barriers, provide alternative food sources, and train your chickens to avoid certain areas.