The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Eagledance on August 06, 2009, 08:01:28 pm

Title: Feeding hens
Post by: Eagledance on August 06, 2009, 08:01:28 pm
 :-[
OK now I am woried - I have read on here somewhere that you shouldn't feed tomato plants to hens!!

Aaargh my hens have had all the trimmings form my tom plants and love them!! What is the problem with them - is it poisonous? Should I now worry?


Ed
Title: Re: Feeding hens
Post by: shetlandpaul on August 06, 2009, 08:18:38 pm
they are poisionous.
http://www.petstums.co.uk/online/templatemedia/all_lang/resources/Plants+Poisonous+to+Animal.pdf (http://www.petstums.co.uk/online/templatemedia/all_lang/resources/Plants+Poisonous+to+Animal.pdf)
if they show no ill sighns within a few days then you have been lucky. maybe check with the vet.
Title: Re: Feeding hens
Post by: jameslindsay on August 07, 2009, 10:06:06 am
I had 2 vets from my practice in for dinner lastnight and I asked them this question and neither could answer.

However, I had been told that chooks like tomatoes and I have from time to time fed some to my girls and they have never had any ill effects.
Title: Re: Feeding hens
Post by: Eagledance on August 07, 2009, 02:57:26 pm
That makes me feel slightly better given that I trained as a vet and had never come across this!!


Ed
Title: Re: Feeding hens
Post by: shetlandpaul on August 07, 2009, 05:51:45 pm
I had 2 vets from my practice in for dinner lastnight and I asked them this question and neither could answer.

However, I had been told that chocks like tomatoes and I have from time to time fed some to my girls and they have never had any ill effects.
he was feeding cuttings not tomato's all of the tomato apart from the fruit is poisonous. same with the potato apart from the spud.
Title: Re: Feeding hens
Post by: doganjo on August 07, 2009, 11:27:11 pm
What about other vegetables like swedes, parsnips etc?
Title: Re: Feeding hens
Post by: little blue on August 08, 2009, 01:28:06 pm
Tomatoes and potatoes are technically the same 'family' (Solancae) as is Foxglove-Digitalis, and you wouldn't eat that would you?!  The fruit, or tuber is safe but beware of green tates, where theyve been too near the surface.

Swede is actually a type of brassica (cabbage, cauli etc) so prob ok to use leaves, think Kohl rabi, turnip tops...

(Sorry, I have the RHS Certificate in Horticulture II with Distinction, it doesn't impress the goat much so I have to just get it where I can!)
Title: Re: Feeding hens
Post by: doganjo on August 08, 2009, 04:30:25 pm
ooh, little blue, you are going to turn out to be a very useful member of this forum - I can just tell!!!!!!  Especially since our resident horti lady may not be on much for a wee while till Bump makes his or her way into the world.  Why don't we all own up to our expertise and the rest of us can have ready access to advice?
My forte's are - accountancy and dogs.
Title: Re: Feeding hens
Post by: little blue on August 08, 2009, 05:50:45 pm
Then you can help me.. I have a very disturbed ex-rescue German Shepherd, and no money!!
Title: Re: Feeding hens
Post by: doganjo on August 08, 2009, 09:30:08 pm
why is  your shepherd disturbed - was he beaten up?  What does he do?  Assuming it's a he not a she.  Can't help you with lack of money. Accountants help people who have money ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Feeding hens
Post by: sandy on August 08, 2009, 10:06:42 pm
join the no money club...oh we have some money but it is being saved for house repairs!!!!! at least we are very happy (would love a bit more money though) Years ago I had a German SHephard, they are very sensitive and beautiful dogs, I really love them but it may be very difficult, I hope you can trust your dog not to bite anyone!!!! My dog never did but I was never 100% sure she would not, so with a disturbed one the risk is much higher, poor poor thing, must have had a bad experience...good luck!!
Title: Re: Feeding hens
Post by: little blue on August 09, 2009, 06:39:47 pm
Sheba, is now 2, we've had her 10 months, from rescue. She was tied up in a yard, no socialisation so is v nervous of pretty much everything. Which of course makes her bark.
 But she a beautiful, gorgeous wolf dog, with eloquent, sad eyes and a mischievous grin! And is fine at home so we dont push her too hard, just let her be and she gets better every day.
Surprises me sometimes by being perfect in a tough situation, and no shes never bitten anyone but we play it very safe.  i would never trust any dog 100%, they're all wolves underneath.

As for money... as long as we can feed the beasts first, who needs it?   (hollow laughter!)
Title: Re: Feeding hens
Post by: doganjo on August 09, 2009, 10:46:04 pm
Sounds like Sheba has all four paws nicely under the table there.  She's a lucky lady!  And you sound like you are doing all the right things with her.  My dogs are all superb with people, particularly my 2 year old grand-daughter but even so I agree, I'd never leave any of them alone with her.  I'm the pack leader and if I'm not there they may decide she has a lesser role than them.  I'd trust them 99.9% but not 100%.