Vegetable skins

[CKD]

We have a large garden that has cucumbers , zuchinni , tomatoes , brussel sprouts , corn , bell peppers and hot and sweet banana peppers & green beans. I was just wondering if it is ok to leave the peals on the veggies after they have been washed real well for the birds ? I normally give Piper raw slices of cucumber and zuchinni but am not sure about leaving the peel on.
Also is it ok to feed cherry tomatoes ?

[ParrotletLover]

Lily only eats peeled cucumbers, but I do leave the skin on peppers. I don't think it would hurt unless the skin is toxic.

[The Outlaw]

Hey, they won't eat the skins anyway. I used to peel and chop up everything and then it occured to me that Ma Nature never did and the visiting native birds did just fine. Now, I make them do a little foraging.

THE OUTLAW

[birdsnthings]

Use a mild dishwashing detergent on your fruits and veggies. This will get the insecticides and stuff off. No much, just a dab will do. Rinse well and pat dry.
Leave those skins on if your bird doesn't mind. Outlaw is right, they don't eat them anyway.
Cherry tomatos are okay. What a mess you'll have after the birds eat those!

[Skyebirdsmom]

Yes, after they are well washed with vinegar. Most birds toss the skins anyway, but some eat them. As long as you don't spray them with insecticides, it's great to feed them. Heck, my bird hulls beans and peas too!And does not even like corn! Weird little bird eh? :)
Linda & Skye~

[Jer]

Hey!!,

Your garden sounds wonderful!!! Can I have some too???
I don't get fresh fruits and veggies where I live!!!

[felisdomesticus]

I have a nice sized garden in my backyard with snow peas, iceberg lettuce, mesculen lettuce, carrots, scallions, summer squash, zucchini, jalepeno peppers, habanero peppers, and bell peppers. I garden organically so I give Scarlett anything out of the garden after a good rinse.

I take the same philosophy as Outlaw--no one is peeling and slicing it for them in nature. I do the same thing with my cats and fosters--raw food, raw eggs (no the bird doesn't get raw eggs just the cats/dogs), raw vegs, etc.

[Laika]

Oh! I am jealous! I want a garden too.... but I live in an apartment!!!! And besides that, I have a "purple" thumb not a green one...I find it hard to keep the couple of plants I have alive!!!!
On the skins, Kukito does not eat them. Even when he eats raisins he thows away the skin! He is picky!
But thanks to get my attention on the possible pestcides that might be in the skin. I buy my fruits and veggies in the supermarket!