Can Chickens Eat Eggplant? Keep Toxin Alert In Mind!

Eggplants are nightshades, but surprisingly, your chickens may still consume what you notice. It’s just better not to include it in your flock’s diet until you know the precautions associated with feeding eggplants.

So, can chickens eat eggplants? Yes, but in moderation, as it carries risks for chickens. Certain parts of the eggplant contain more potentially toxic compounds like Solanine. So, chickens should only eat limited amounts of eggplant flesh, skin, seeds, or peels.

My recommendation is, why eggplants? While you have amazing eggplant substitutes that are more nutritious as well! From the risk factors of eggplants to how they bring health benefits to chickens, I’ll cover it all. Keep on reading!

Can Chickens Eat Eggplant? Are eggplants Safe for Chickens?

Well, the answer, from my perspective, is diplomatic. It’s safe, in general. Plus, eggplants shine with a lot of essential nutrients as well.

But here’s my observation: Eggplants have harmful toxins in them. If chickens overfeed eggplants, it will surely create some health trouble.

It’s unsafe for chickens to consume eggplant skins, seeds, leaves, or stems in any amount, cooked or raw. Eggplants belong to the dangerous Nightshade Family, so these parts have a lot of toxins.

If chickens roam freely near eggplant, they might eat toxic parts of the plant. It’s best to fence off eggplant gardens from chickens. Besides, avoid feeding human foods like pretzels to chickens.

Can Baby Chickens Eat Eggplants?

Baby chicks should not eat any part of raw eggplants. Their smaller bodies cannot handle toxins, as well as mature chickens. Wait until chicks are grown a little bit (at least 8 weeks old).

Then, introducing small bits of cooked eggplant flesh into their diet might be a good idea.

Are All Different Eggplant Parts Edible to Chickens?

No, not all the parts of Eggplants are edible to chickens. Let’s take a look at which parts chickens can eat and which don’t.

Can Chickens Eat Eggplant Flesh?

Chickens can eat small amounts of eggplant flesh. The flesh contains vitamin C, vitamin B6, fiber, and beneficial antioxidants.

But eggplant can be harmful to chickens if they eat too much because it has solanine and other toxins that I stated before.

Can Chickens Eat Eggplant Skin?

Eggplant skin has a higher concentration of solanine than the flesh. It’s best not to allow chickens to eat the skin, as even small amounts could cause problems.

Can Chickens Eat Eggplant Seeds?

The seeds in eggplant have high solanine levels, sometimes higher than the skin. To keep chickens safe, don’t let them eat raw eggplant seeds.

Can Chickens Eat Eggplant Peels?

Eggplant peels have a lot of solanine, so chickens shouldn’t eat it.

Can Chickens Eat Any Form of Eggplants?

Consider eggplant in two forms only: Cooked and Raw.

Chickens can consume it in both ways. When giving eggplant to chickens, how it’s prepared is important, not just the parts they eat.

Can Chickens Eat Raw Eggplants?

Chickens should not eat raw eggplants. Cooking eggplant significantly reduces the solanine levels, making it safer for chicken consumption.

Can Chickens Eat Cooked Eggplant?

Cooked eggplant flesh is safer for chickens to eat than raw flesh. Cooking the flesh lightly makes it safe to eat and preserves its nutritional value. Make sure the skin, seeds, and peels are removed first.

Can chickens eat overripe eggplant?

No. As eggplants become overripe, their solanine levels increase along with oxidation. Also, rotting or damaged eggplant flesh should not be fed to chickens.

Nutritional Profile of Eggplants for Chickens

Let’s have a look at the nutritional profile of eggplants. Here, you’ll find how nutritious 100 grams of boiled eggplants (without salt) are. All these data have been collected from the USDA.

Eggplants, in a nutshell, in terms of nutrients: 

Eggplants offer a nutritious profile when consumed in moderation. The flesh contains dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, and manganese. It also provides antioxidant compounds like nasunin and chlorogenic acid.

Is Eggplant Poisonous to Chickens? No, But it has Glycoalkaloids

No, Eggplants aren’t poisonous. But it has toxic compounds, as I said earlier.

The most dangerous parts of eggplants for chickens to eat are the skin, leaves, and stems. Those parts have high levels of glycoalkaloids like solanine. These substances can bother chickens’ nervous systems if chickens eat too much.

However, the flesh of the eggplant is free of chemicals and toxins. So, basically, both the skin and flesh can be dangerous. 

Here are the excessive solanine consumption symptoms in chickens:

1. Excessive drooling or foaming from their beaks
2. Acting very tired, moving and resting more
3. Runny, green chicken poop
4. Chickens stopping eating or losing appetite
5. Hard breathing
6. Even death in the worst cases.

If you see any of those signs after your chickens eat eggplants, take away the remaining eggplants right away! Call your chicken vet as early as possible!

6 Benefits of Feeding Eggplants to Chickens?

Feeding small amounts of eggplant flesh to chickens has some potential benefits. Here are those –

1. Eggplants provide vitamins and minerals that can contribute to chickens’ health. These support their immune health and other body functions.
2. The flesh contains antioxidants like nasunin and chlorogenic acid, which combat cell damage. This promotes overall health.
3. Eggplants supply dietary fiber for healthy chicken digestion and nutrient absorption. Fiber also encourages good gut bacteria.
4. The vegetables add variety to backyard chickens’ diets, allowing them to experience new flavors and textures for enhanced well-being.
5. Offering veggies like eggplants provides chickens with mental stimulation and encourages their foraging behaviors. This enriches their lives.
6. Properly feeding produce from home gardens supports sustainability by making good use of excess crops. Less food goes to waste when chickens consume it.

How to Feed Eggplant to Chickens? How Much And How Often to Feed?

Well, a lot of questions, but I answered them all pretty simply. 

How many eggplants to offer to chickens?

It’s not specific. But around 10 – 15 grams of eggplants sounds sensible. It shouldn’t be considered as a frequent treat. Once every two weeks is my preference.

How to feed eggplants to chickens?

Follow these steps for safely feeding eggplants to chickens:

1. Step 1: Remove the skin, seeds, stems, and leaves from the eggplants. Never feed those parts. They have the highest toxin levels that will make chickens sick.
2. Step 2: Slice the remaining eggplant flesh into small pieces. The flesh also has some of the toxins, but less.
3. Step 3: Lightly cook the eggplant flesh pieces. Try microwaving, steaming, or stir-frying briefly. Cooking helps remove some more toxins.
4. Step 4: Allow the cooked pieces to cool completely. Chickens might eat cooked food that is still hot and burn their beaks or mouths.
5. Step 5: Give chickens very small amounts of the cooked eggplant treat. Without any added spices and salt, of course!

Following those rules will allow chickens to have eggplants as an occasional tasty and healthy snack. Start with just a bite or two to test and see how they react to Eggplants.

Recommended Readings:

• Can Chickens Eat Shrimp
• Do Chickens Eat Pumpkin
• Can Chickens Eat Green Beans

In Summary

So, can chickens eat eggplant? Yes, they can. My personal recommendation is don’t give eggplants to chickens. The potential toxicity dangers mean chickens can only eat small amounts safely. Lightly cooking eggplant flesh and restricting access to the plant itself limits risk. 

Monitoring chickens after feeding eggplant is also wise. Using these precautions allows eggplant to be an occasional supplement without harming chickens’ health.

Sources and References:

• https://www.permaculturenews.org/2017/04/13/incredible-edible-eggplant/
• https://www.americastestkitchen.com/articles/4172-don-t-freak-out-but-your-eggplant-is-probably-poisoning-you