Chickens are omnivores, they eat both plant and animal matter, in fact, they will eat almost anything you put in front of them and anything they can get their beaks on.

Some foods are great for chickens, they offer these birds a variety of vitamins and minerals which will boost the bird’s health. Other foods are not so good for chickens, they are unsafe. So how about potato leaves? Can chickens eat potato leaves? This article explores this topic. 

Chickens cannot eat potato leaves, potatoes can be eaten by chickens but the leaves cannot because they contain a toxin called solanine. If your bird ingests solanine, it can develop respiratory distress, neurological damage, diarrhea, convulsions and, if eaten in large enough amounts, solanine can be fatal to your bird

Can chickens eat potato leaves?

Potato is a vegetable that can, and is, given to chickens.

This food fits into one of the three main categories of foods that chickens should be fed namely fruits, vegetables, and specialized chicken feed.

Potato leaves, on the other hand, should not be given to chickens, this portion of the plant is unsafe for chickens. 

Risks of chickens eating potato leaves

Green potatoes, sprouted potatoes, potato stems, and potato leaves all contain a toxin called solanine.

If ingested, solanine can cause your bird to develop respiratory distress, neurological damage, diarrhea, and, if eaten in large enough amounts, solanine can be fatal to your chicken.

The highest levels of this toxin are found in the green skins, the eyes, and the leaves of potatoes, so, it is of utmost importance that your bird has none of this.

Chickens usually avoid potato leaves:

Fortunately, your bird will likely stay away from potato leaves. Because these animals have evolved to forge, they know to check their food before eating large amounts of it.

If a chicken is curious it will eat a small piece of the potato leaf, conclude that the food is not good for it, and then move on. The older hens will also teach the younger birds to do the same thing. 

However, if your chicken’s environment is barren, then the bird may eat some potato leaves out of desperation.

To keep this from happening, avoid putting your chicken on a small, bare run with no food to eat or forage. This will keep them from being forced to eat the leaves. Rather give them access to a fresh pasture with plenty of food to eat. 

If your chicken accidentally ingests some potato leaves, it is recommended that you get the bird to the vet as soon as possible

Can chickens eat sweet potato leaves?

Yes, chickens can eat sweet potato leaves, sweet potatoes aren’t actually potatoes. Potatoes belong to the Solanaceae family, sweet potatoes belong to the Convolvulaceae family.

Sweet potatoes don’t produce solanine at all. The leaves and all the other parts of this vegetable are safe for chickens to eat.

 

What plants are poisonous to chickens?

Chickens may try to eat everything they can get their beaks on, but just because they try to eat it doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Plants that are poisonous to chickens include azaleas, morning glory, mountain laurel, castor bean, nightshade, trumpet vine, foxglove, lily of the valley, tansy, amaryllis, monkshood, rhododendron, yew, jimson weed, and tulips.

Fortunately, your bird will likely stay away from these plants without the need for human intervention. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, no chickens cannot eat potato leaves, the leaves of this plant contain a toxin called solanine which can cause health complications in chickens.

If the bird does eat the leaves, it can develop respiratory distress, neurological damage, diarrhea, and, if eaten in large enough amounts, solanine can be fatal to your chicken. Fortunately, your bird will most likely stay away from these leaves

Chickens can eat sweet potato leaves, sweet potatoes don’t produce solanine.

Other plants that chickens cannot eat include, but are not limited to, azaleas, morning glory, mountain laurel, castor bean, nightshade, trumpet vine, foxglove, lily of the valley, tansy, amaryllis, monkshood, rhododendron, yew, jimson weed, and tulips

If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other chicken related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Can chickens eat poppy seeds?, Can chickens eat sunflower seeds with shells?, Can chickens eat soybeans?, Can chickens eat duckweed?