Can chickens eat tomatoes?

Why

The ripe red fruit is non-toxic and provides vitamins, but the green leaves, stems, and unripe fruit contain solanine which can make birds sick. It is important to only feed the soft red flesh and never the green parts of the plant.

If you do feed it

• Only feed fully ripe red tomatoes, avoiding all green stems, leaves, and unripe fruit.
• Limit treats to a few small pieces a few times a week to prevent digestive upset.
• Wash the tomatoes thoroughly to remove any pesticides or dirt before serving.
• Remove any seeds that have started to sprout or show signs of mold.

Watch out for

• green stems and leaves
• unripe green fruit
• moldy or spoiled tomatoes
• sweetened or cooked tomato products

Better choices