Chickens love treats and will happily eat table scraps, fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and much more. Treats bring our flocks so much joy, as they offer a tasty extravagance and sprinkling some on the ground helps engage in natural foraging behaviors. However, some common treats can be quite detrimental for a chicken’s health and cause sickness and a shorter lifespan. Before heading out to feed your flock some delicious treats, check out this list of foods to avoid feeding.
NIGHTSHADES
There are 70 varieties of nightshade plants, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, bittersweet and Jerusalem cherry, many of which can be harmful to your flock. Nightshades contain alkaloids, which cause appetite loss, increased salivation, weakened heart rate and trouble breathing.
Raw potato peels, for example, should never be considered a…