Hi everyone! I'm designing my chicken enclosure and I would like to know if anyone has experience with oleander and chickens. We are putting the enclosure next to our steel building to reduce the amount of fencing we will need to use. I live on the outskirts of Phoenix so of course the summers are extremely hot.
The reflected heat from the building gets very warm. I have used oleander in other areas in my yard to shade hot walls and they do an amazing job. I would like to line the wall of the building with several bushes. They grow fast, are dense, and really bring the temps down. I am aware that oleanders are toxic, but I know nothing about the effect on chickens. I already have large established bushes in my yard. Should I worry about them when they free range? I'm sure I could come up with a substitution, but these bushes would be the best chance for shade between planting time which is late winter and when the heat really cranks up in May. Any info is greatly appreciated!!!
