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Vetch - safe or not

post #1 of 7
3/2/12 at 12:53pm
Thread Starter 

We have a ton of vetch growing, and I'm finding mixed information, some threads saying it's toxic and not to feed it, and some people listing it in forage mixes they plant specifically for their chickens.  Is it safe? 

Andrea - homeschooling mom to two great kids, wife to my dh, sharing our brand new farm with 1 great dane-ish dog, 1 old, toothless, diabetic cat, and 12 (strike that, 14) new baby chicks. 

 

"The world is full of nice, ordinary little people who live in nice, ordinary little houses on the ground. But didn't you ever dream of a house up on a tree top? "

-Father Robinson, Swiss Family Robinson

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Andrea - homeschooling mom to two great kids, wife to my dh, sharing our brand new farm with 1 great dane-ish dog, 1 old, toothless, diabetic cat, and 12 (strike that, 14) new baby chicks. 

 

"The world is full of nice, ordinary little people who live in nice, ordinary little houses on the ground. But didn't you ever dream of a house up on a tree top? "

-Father Robinson, Swiss Family Robinson

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post #2 of 7
3/2/12 at 2:15pm

I think there are several species of vetch, and that might have something to do with the confusion.  I do know that some types can poision a horse if eaten in large amounts.  As for chickens... I don't know.  I would find out what kind exactly you have... and try it in small portions if you do. 

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post #3 of 7
3/2/12 at 3:32pm
Thread Starter 

We have hairy vetch.

Andrea - homeschooling mom to two great kids, wife to my dh, sharing our brand new farm with 1 great dane-ish dog, 1 old, toothless, diabetic cat, and 12 (strike that, 14) new baby chicks. 

 

"The world is full of nice, ordinary little people who live in nice, ordinary little houses on the ground. But didn't you ever dream of a house up on a tree top? "

-Father Robinson, Swiss Family Robinson

Reply

Andrea - homeschooling mom to two great kids, wife to my dh, sharing our brand new farm with 1 great dane-ish dog, 1 old, toothless, diabetic cat, and 12 (strike that, 14) new baby chicks. 

 

"The world is full of nice, ordinary little people who live in nice, ordinary little houses on the ground. But didn't you ever dream of a house up on a tree top? "

-Father Robinson, Swiss Family Robinson

Reply
post #4 of 7
3/3/12 at 4:09pm

My birds eat common and hairy vetch often and they are fine.  They have done so for years.

The Dalles, Oregon- heart of the Columbia River Gorge

5th generation cherry orchardist managing my families' 400 acres of cherries: www.omegorchards.com
Black & White Jersey Giants, New Hampshires and Midget White Turkeys

Learn more about Jersey Giants: The National Jersey Giant Club homepage.

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The Dalles, Oregon- heart of the Columbia River Gorge

5th generation cherry orchardist managing my families' 400 acres of cherries: www.omegorchards.com
Black & White Jersey Giants, New Hampshires and Midget White Turkeys

Learn more about Jersey Giants: The National Jersey Giant Club homepage.

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post #5 of 7
3/3/12 at 4:41pm

is the weed henbit also ok for chickens.  here in Tx we have had a bumper crop of henbit.  my little guys are only 4 wks so they're not roaming on their own yet.

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post #6 of 7
3/6/13 at 3:20am

 Is this vetch?

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post #7 of 7
4/25/13 at 10:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nova022 View Post

 Is this vetch?

 

No, vetch has more and smaller leaves, closer together. 

One thing is for sure; a sheep is not a creature of the air. ... Notice that they do not so much fly as...plummet. ... As for flight, its body is totally unadapted to the problems of aviation.
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One thing is for sure; a sheep is not a creature of the air. ... Notice that they do not so much fly as...plummet. ... As for flight, its body is totally unadapted to the problems of aviation.
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