Yes, chickens can eat tomatoes, and it's generally considered safe and healthy for them.
While the provided reference only states that chickens can eat tomatoes, the question specifically asks about sprouted tomatoes. It's important to address this distinction. Tomatoes themselves are fine, but the plant and unripe green tomatoes contain solanine, which is toxic to chickens (and other animals, including humans) in large quantities. Sprouting in tomatoes doesn't inherently increase the solanine levels in the ripe fruit itself.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Ripe Tomatoes: Perfectly safe for chickens in moderation. They offer vitamins and can be a fun treat.
- Tomato Plants (Leaves, Stems): Avoid feeding these to chickens due to solanine content.
- Unripe Green Tomatoes: These also contain higher levels of solanine and should be avoided.
- Sprouted Tomatoes (Ripe): The sprouts themselves are generally small and unlikely to pose a significant risk, but it's best to remove them if possible. The main concern remains the ripeness of the tomato itself. A ripe, red tomato with small sprouts is safer than a green, unsprouted tomato.
In Summary:
Ripe, red tomatoes, even with small sprouts, can be given to chickens as a treat. However, to be safe, remove the sprouts. Avoid feeding them the tomato plant, leaves, stems, or green, unripe tomatoes.
