Can chickens eat Tithonia?

[chicken_harpist]

Hey folks! I hope your days are going well.

I’m in central Florida and have a TON of Tithonia diversifolia growing around my yard. I also have the smaller, ‘Torch’ variety, but I’m asking for its larger, yellow-colored flower cousin.

When I supervise free range my flock, they’ll go over and peck some leaves, but mainly stick to the ground and other plants.

Because of its growth rate, I have plenty of leaves that I use for mulch, but wanted to know if it was chicken-safe to eat?

I was considering growing a few trees in their run and keeping them short like bushes, but didn’t want to put something in if it’s not helpful.

Thank you!

 

[GRB73]

I grow Tithonia rotundifolia in my garden. I've never seen the girls try to eat the leaves, but I do see wild birds eating the seeds. I imagine the seeds wouldn't harm chickens if wild birds eat them.