No, chickens should not eat onion peels.
While a small amount of cooked onion might not be immediately fatal to a chicken, onions and their peels contain compounds that are toxic to chickens, especially in larger quantities. The reference explicitly lists onions as toxic to chickens. These compounds can lead to health problems.
Here's a breakdown:
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Toxicity: Onions, including the peels, contain thiosulphate. This compound can cause hemolytic anemia in chickens. Hemolytic anemia is a condition where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be produced, leading to weakness, lethargy, and potentially death.
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Garlic and Other Alliums: While often less potent, other members of the allium family like garlic, shallots, and chives also contain similar compounds and should be avoided.
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Cooked vs. Raw: The toxicity is reduced slightly when onions are cooked, but it's still best to avoid feeding them to your chickens altogether.
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Amount Matters: The larger the amount of onion peels consumed, the higher the risk of negative health effects.
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Better Alternatives: There are many safe and nutritious treats for chickens, such as fruits, vegetables (excluding green potatoes and tomatoes), and properly formulated chicken feed.
In conclusion, it's best to err on the side of caution and keep onion peels away from your chickens. There are plenty of other healthy and safe options to supplement their diet.
