The most commonly asked question in chicken keeping is "What should I NOT feed my hens?" AVOCADO tops the list, but many dispute this because their 'chickens haven't died yet.'
In actual fact, it's more toxic that what most people expect.
The pit and the peel are the most dangerous part of avocado, as it contains a toxin called Persin.
Persin is particularly bad for all birds and domesticated animals.
It is far safer for poultry to avoid all parts of avocado as there is no guarantee that it is not within the flesh. Or when they peck the avocado flesh from the skin, that they may come into contact with Persin.
WHAT IS PERSIN?
Persin is a fungicidal toxin present in the avocado. Persin is an oil-soluble compound structurally similar to a fatty acid, and it leaches into the body of the fruit from the seeds.
The relatively low concentrations of persin in the ripe pulp of the avocado fruit is generally considered harmless to humans. Negative effects in humans are primarily in allergic individuals. When persin is consumed by domestic animals through the leaves or bark of the avocado tree, or skins and seeds of the avocado fruit, it is toxic and dangerous.
PATHOLOGY
Consumption of the leaves and bark of the avocado tree, or the skin and pit of the avocado fruit have been shown to have the following effects:
Please DO NOT feed poultry any part of an Avocado
Persin is particularly bad for all birds and domesticated animals.
It is far safer for poultry to avoid all parts of avocado as there is no guarantee that it is not within the flesh. Or when they peck the avocado flesh from the skin, that they may come into contact with Persin.
WHAT IS PERSIN?
Persin is a fungicidal toxin present in the avocado. Persin is an oil-soluble compound structurally similar to a fatty acid, and it leaches into the body of the fruit from the seeds.
The relatively low concentrations of persin in the ripe pulp of the avocado fruit is generally considered harmless to humans. Negative effects in humans are primarily in allergic individuals. When persin is consumed by domestic animals through the leaves or bark of the avocado tree, or skins and seeds of the avocado fruit, it is toxic and dangerous.
PATHOLOGY
Consumption of the leaves and bark of the avocado tree, or the skin and pit of the avocado fruit have been shown to have the following effects:
- In birds, which are particularly sensitive to the avocado toxin, the symptoms are: increased heart rate, myocardial tissue damage, labored breathing, disordered plumage, unrest, weakness, and apathy. High doses cause acute respiratory syndrome (asphyxia), with death approximately 12 to 24 hours after consumption.
- Lactating rabbits and mice: non-infectious mastitis and agalactia after consumption of leaves or bark.
- Rabbits: cardial arrhythmia, submandibular edema and death after consumption of leaves.
- Cows and goats: mastitis, decreased milk production after consumption of leaves or bark.
- Horses: clinical effects occur mainly in mares, and includes noninfectious mastitis, as well as occasional gastritis and colic.
- Cats, dogs: mild stomach upset may occur.
- Hares, pigs, rats, sheep, ostriches, chickens, turkeys and fish: symptoms of intoxication similar those described above. The lethal dose is not known; the effect is different depending upon the animal species.
- Mice: non-fatal injury to the lactating mammary gland from 60 to 100 mg/kg Persin. Necrosis of myocardial fibres with 100 mg/kg Persin. 200 mg/kg lethal.
Please DO NOT feed poultry any part of an Avocado
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