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Tulip Foliage?

post #1 of 14
3/27/12 at 8:01pm
Thread Starter 

My hen ate some tulip foliage tonight.  I read that tulip bulbs are toxic to chickens, but I'm wondering how dangerous the tulip foliage is?  I noticed tulips aren't marked with an asterisk in the toxic plants list, which is supposed to mean they aren't deadly poisonous, but still, I am worried.

 

Always something!

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post #2 of 14
3/27/12 at 8:05pm

I'm new to chickens so I don't really know but on this site they just say Tulip not bulb, so I don't know. :( I hope your chicken will be ok. http://fowlfacts.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=ffanswerstoquestions&action=display&thread=947

Husband - Eric, 4 Daughters - Shamera, Piper, Jocelyn & Tilly, 3 Dogs - Hank, Zangar & Penny, Cat - Junior (Mentally Handicapped) and 3 Chicks- Nugget, Mumble & Cinnamon.

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Husband - Eric, 4 Daughters - Shamera, Piper, Jocelyn & Tilly, 3 Dogs - Hank, Zangar & Penny, Cat - Junior (Mentally Handicapped) and 3 Chicks- Nugget, Mumble & Cinnamon.

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post #3 of 14
3/27/12 at 8:07pm
  • CMV
  • Golden Feathers
  • Flock Mistress

Chickens generally avoid toxic plants if given their choice (free-range).  If toxic plants are the only choice (in an enclosed run) then they will get eaten.  I'd keep an extra eye on her, but not worry overmuch about it.

 

Good luck.

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post #4 of 14
3/27/12 at 8:13pm
Thread Starter 

Do you think I should take her out some scrambled egg in case her stomach is unsettled?

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post #5 of 14
3/27/12 at 8:25pm
Thread Starter 

This site claims it is the tulip bulb that is poisonous:

 

http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html#T

 

However, other sites claim it is all parts of the tulip that are poisonous.

 

Other poultry sites do not list tulips as being toxic to chickens.

 

How very confusing!

 

 

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post #6 of 14
3/27/12 at 8:33pm

I know very confusing. Another site I just looked at said it may or may not cause allergies when eaten. siiigh I guess just keep an eye on her is all you can really do right now.

Husband - Eric, 4 Daughters - Shamera, Piper, Jocelyn & Tilly, 3 Dogs - Hank, Zangar & Penny, Cat - Junior (Mentally Handicapped) and 3 Chicks- Nugget, Mumble & Cinnamon.

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Husband - Eric, 4 Daughters - Shamera, Piper, Jocelyn & Tilly, 3 Dogs - Hank, Zangar & Penny, Cat - Junior (Mentally Handicapped) and 3 Chicks- Nugget, Mumble & Cinnamon.

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post #7 of 14
3/28/12 at 7:07am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for your good research, 3LilBirds.  That is sure a cute Baby Bird in your Avatar, and she looks just like the cute Bird holding her!

 

The good news is that Esther Mary seems fine this morning.  I had considered taking her scrambled eggs late last night but decided against disturbing the flock.

 

She greeted me with the 4 others this morning when I went to let them out, and her appetite is quite good, and she seems perky and frisky.

 

I gave them all scrambled eggs, which they devoured, and plenty of fresh greens in ACV water to flush any toxins out of her system.

 

Whew!  What a close call.  I wonder how the allergies would play themselves out?  I must listen to her breathing when I get a chance.

 

I have her separated from the rooster, just in case she doesn't feel up to mating.

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post #8 of 14
3/28/12 at 11:30am

Thanks and thanks for the update. I'm so glad she is ok! It's so scary when any of our fur, feather or human kids are possibly sick. So glad it all turned out well!

Husband - Eric, 4 Daughters - Shamera, Piper, Jocelyn & Tilly, 3 Dogs - Hank, Zangar & Penny, Cat - Junior (Mentally Handicapped) and 3 Chicks- Nugget, Mumble & Cinnamon.

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Husband - Eric, 4 Daughters - Shamera, Piper, Jocelyn & Tilly, 3 Dogs - Hank, Zangar & Penny, Cat - Junior (Mentally Handicapped) and 3 Chicks- Nugget, Mumble & Cinnamon.

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post #9 of 14
3/28/12 at 11:43am
Thread Starter 

Me, too!  I had thought my chickens were eating my tulips, but now I think they just enjoy shredding them.

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post #10 of 14
3/28/12 at 11:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CMV View Post

Chickens generally avoid toxic plants if given their choice (free-range).  If toxic plants are the only choice (in an enclosed run) then they will get eaten.  I'd keep an extra eye on her, but not worry overmuch about it.

 

Good luck.

Yeah... that... I don't read those do not eat lists. Things in moderation rarely kill, and if birds are eating while foraging I don't worry about them. I certainly would not put known poisonous plants in a run where eating from boredom would happen, but I don't fret green potoato peels, tomato vines, or what ever else is on the danger list. 

 

I had a single turkey eat half a ruhbarb plant at a few months old. This was no small feat. 

Here I am holding a leaf and a flower stalk from said plant:

LL

 

Turkey appeared to show no ill effects from eating the leaves, even as a young poult. Dim wit also ate a few foot tall thissle plants before he became thanksgiving dinner. LOL

 

 

 

 

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Need egg candling reference pics? Click HERE!
2011 Coop build! Click Here!

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