Feeding Chickens Strawberry Tops: Are They Safe?

Can chickens eat strawberry tops? This is a much-debated topic in the chicken world and one you likely won’t find a lot of information on. While there is some evidence to support strawberry tops having toxins, let’s take a closer look at whether or not they’re safe for your flock.

Chickens and Strawberries

I’ve been growing strawberry plants on our farm for a while. Sadly, I didn’t put much thought into my strawberry patch and planted it right near the chicken coop. Having a free-range flock means they help themselves to my strawberries anytime they want.

Imagine my surprise when I heard that strawberry tops weren’t safe for chickens. I was left wondering if chickens can eat strawberry tops, or should I fence my patch off completely?

The answer to that question is a little more complicated than it seems on the surface.

So Can Chickens Eat Strawberry Tops?

The short answer is yes, chickens can eat strawberry tops in moderation. I’ve found that chickens tend to avoid foods that aren’t good for them, and they don’t shy away from strawberry tops.

If they can eat them without any issues why do some people consider strawberry tops to be harmful to chickens?

Turns out, strawberry tops contain a harmful chemical. This chemical becomes more concentrated as the leaves begin to decay.

However, is this toxin a real threat to your chicken’s health? Can they be included in your chicken’s diet? We’ll examine the risks and benefits.

What Kind of a Plant are Strawberries?

Strawberries are not really a berry, they are members of the rose family. A strawberry is not just one fruit. It actually has a lot of different tiny fruits that are in its fleshy “skin”.

Strawberries also generally reproduce by runners. If you’ve ever planted a strawberry patch, you know all about its runners.

Plants in the Rosaceae family are known to produce hydrogen cyanide in their leaves. This becomes even more concentrated as the leaves start to decay.

It’s the plant’s way of protecting itself from pests.

However, the amount of hydrogen cyanide in the strawberry tops is very low. Yes, it becomes more concentrated as the plant breaks down, but it still isn’t a lot.

Strawberry tops aren’t toxic to humans at all. That is, unless you’re allergic to them.

Once the strawberry leaves have dried out the toxic gas is pretty much gone. At that point, they’re not very threatening to the chicken.

The truth is, there are many plants that contain hydrogen cyanide and other toxic chemicals. Plants have defense mechanisms just like animals do. There are some people and animals that are sensitive or even allergic to this and other toxins.

If you really want to go down a rabbit hole, do some research on oxalic acid in spinach. Plants can be scary if you really dig deep.

Chicken’s Digestive System

Chickens have a faster metabolism than humans do. That’s why they produce so much more heat. A normal body temperature for a chicken is around 107° F! They also break down their food pretty quickly once the process officially starts.

When a chicken eats, the food is stored in their crop for several hours. After that, it travels into their “stomach” where is it mixed with digestive enzymes.

Next, it also goes through the gizzard where it’s broken down or “chewed”. Chickens don’t have teeth, but the grit in their muscular gizzard helps to crush the food much like chewing.

From there the food is absorbed through their intestines. Their intestines are full of bacteria that break down food for them. In fact, a large percentage of the chicken’s immunity comes from their digestive system. Without it, the chicken could die very quickly.

All that being said, chickens can accumulate toxins in their digestive tracts due to the high rate of absorption. These are toxins that otherwise might not bother other animals.

Chickens and Strawberry Tops

So we’ve figured out that strawberry tops do contain a toxin that is similar to cyanide. We’ve also discovered that chickens can absorb toxins at a higher rate than other animals.

Can chickens eat strawberry tops? They actually can, just in moderation. It’s not likely that you’ll be feeding your flock a high enough amount of strawberry tops to harm them. I’ve been feeding my flock strawberries for years. Like I mentioned before, they help themselves to my strawberry patch.

A large amount of strawberry tops might cause their stomachs to be upset leading them to have diarrhea. This is definitely something you should monitor with your flock. The problem with an upset stomach is that it can lead to dehydration.

As I mentioned before, digestive issues can be a big deal for chickens. Their immune system comes from the bacteria in their stomachs that break down their food. If that’s disrupted by a toxin, you can leave your chicken open to other illnesses and infections.

It’s also important to note that chickens should never be fed moldy strawberries, or rotten strawberries. Any kind of moldy or rotten food can cause health issues in chickens.

I’ve also personally found that if I feed strawberry tops to my chickens, they rarely eat the leafy parts anyway. A few of them will consume the whole top, but for the most part, they eat whatever fleshy parts are left. Chickens are pretty smart about what they can and can’t eat. They’ll generally stay away from plants that are toxic.

Other Foods That Contain Toxins

There are other foods that also contain toxins that could potentially be harmful to chickens.

Plants in the nightshade family like potatoes and tomato plants can be harmful to chickens. While my flock loves a juicy red tomato, the plant isn’t good for them. Again, my flock tends to stay away from eating the tomato plant. They know what’s good for them.

Avocado skins and pits are also something to avoid feeding your flock. They contain a toxin called persin, which can cause gastric upset. However, the flesh of the avocado is ok for them to eat. Again, chickens will naturally tend to avoid the toxic parts of the fruit.

Apple seeds also contain toxic chemicals that can harm chickens. Chickens love to eat the flesh and skin of an apple, but they tend to leave the seeds alone. If you’re worried about them eating it, remove the core before feeding the apple to your flock.

Citrus fruits and onions can cause gastric upset in chickens. Critus can also impact their laying abilities. They can handle small amounts of these foods, but they should be limited. My flock will usually leave onions alone entirely. It’s mainly the skin of both of these that bothers the chickens digestive system.

Rhubarb isn’t good for chickens. It contains toxins that can cause digestive issues if they eat it. I wouldn’t feed rhubarb to the flock, but chances are they’ll avoid it all on their own.

Uncooked or dried beans are toxic for chickens. They contain a harmful chemical that can be deadly if ingested. Cooked and sprouted beans don’t contain the toxin and can be safely enjoyed by your flock.

The ongoing theme here is chickens are pretty smart when it comes to what they can and can’t eat. As long as you’re offering them food free choice, they’ll tend to filter out the bad stuff on their own. It’s still good to be aware of what you’re feeding them and monitor anything that’s causing issues.

Health Benefits of Strawberries For Chickens

Strawberries actually have a lot of nutritional value and benefits for chickens. They’re full of good, healthy vitamins that are great for chickens.

Strawberries contain a lot of vitamin B like B9 and vitamin C. They also contain antioxidants.

Antioxidants have been known to increase the chicken’s reproductive health and helping them to lay more eggs, fight disease, and live a healthier life.

This is something we all want for our beloved flock.

Strawberries can also contain a high sugar content. So while it’s a tasty and healthy snack, it should still be consumed in moderation. Think of strawberries like candy for chickens.

Chickens and Strawberries FAQs

How often should I give strawberry tops to my chickens?

Chickens can eat the whole strawberry. Strawberry tops should be an occasional treat, not a main part of their diet. Occasionally they’re ok, especially when they’re in season.

Can too many strawberry tops make my chickens sick?

If you give them large amounts all at once, it might upset their stomachs, but moderate amounts here and there are totally fine.

Can chickens eat other parts of the strawberry?

Yes! Chickens can eat whole strawberries, leaves, fruit, and all. Just don’t overdo it since strawberries are sugary.

Will feeding chickens strawberries affect the taste of their eggs?

Not likely. Chickens can eat strawberries and other treats without changing the taste of their eggs. Just keep their diet balanced with plenty of regular feed.

What should I feed my chickens on a daily basis?

The main part of your chickens’ diet should be a high-quality chicken feed that’s appropriate for their age and type (like layers, broilers, or chicks). Free-ranging birds will find their one insects, plants, and seeds. You can supplement with occasional treats like veggies, fruits, and grains, but the feed gives them the balanced nutrition they need.

What foods should I avoid giving my chickens?

Avoid feeding chickens anything moldy, salty, or processed. Foods like chocolate, avocado (especially the pit and skin), green potatoes, and raw beans are toxic to chickens and should not be given.

Can chickens eat leftover table scraps?

Yes, chickens can eat table scraps like fruits, vegetables, and grains. Just avoid giving them anything salty, sugary, or greasy. Foods like onions and citrus are also best avoided.

Can Chickens Eat Strawberry Tops? Final Thoughts

Strawberry tops contain a small amount of the toxin hydrogen cyanide. This gas is released once the strawberry leaves start to break down as a deterrent to harmful insects.

Chickens are more susceptible to toxins due to their digestive system and fast metabolisms. Strawberry tops could potentially cause diarrhea and digestive problems in chickens if they’re consumed in large quantities.

However, giving your chickens occasional strawberry treats, tops included, isn’t likely to cause any problems at all. In fact, chickens love strawberries and they have a lot of beneficial vitamins for chickens.

So it’s okay to feed chickens strawberries. Just don’t go overboard.

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More From The Farm

Can chickens taste spicy foods? It’s a question that might surprise you, but the answer is pretty interesting. Unlike humans, chickens don’t have the same taste buds that detect spiciness, so they can eat things that would make us reach for a glass of water.

In fact, many chicken owners add a bit of spice, like cayenne pepper, to their birds’ feed without causing any harm. This might even offer some benefits, like helping keep pests away. So, let’s look into what makes chickens different when it comes to eating spicy foods.

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:39