Red Eastern Cedar Berries

[Kristen4]

Hi Everyone-

I have a chocolate Orpington that I just who is super sick- dying. I can't figure out what happened. We do have Red Eastern Cedar berries that she may have eaten. Does anyone know if these are toxic?

What about Rye seed?

Thanks!

 

[orelsi]

As far as I know from talking to other chicken owners they are not toxic in small quantities, but can be toxic if ingested in large ones. That goes for all Cedar berries. This is second hand knowledge though, I don't have them near me.

Can you describe how the hen looked? Any symptoms?

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Can you do a complete exam on her? Feel of her weight, look for a more bony keel or breast bone. Is her crop empty and flat, partially full, firm, soft and puffy, or doughy? What do her poops look like, including pictures. A picture of her as well. Can she stand or walk? Are her wings hanging, tail up or down? Has she laid eggs recently? Is she currently molting? Most chickens seem to avoid poisonous plants, but some can be toxic in large amounts. I really hope that you can save her. Many pharmacies sell activated charcoal, and there are flushes using Epsom salts or molasses.

 

[Kristen4]

Welcome to BYC. Can you do a complete exam on her? Feel of her weight, look for a more bony keel or breast bone. Is her crop empty and flat, partially full, firm, soft and puffy, or doughy? What do her poops look like, including pictures. A picture of her as well. Can she stand or walk? Are her wings hanging, tail up or down? Has she laid eggs recently? Is she currently molting? Most chickens seem to avoid poisonous plants, but some can be toxic in large amounts. I really hope that you can save her. Many pharmacies sell activated charcoal, and there are flushes using Epsom salts or molasses.

Thank you and thank you for your response. 5 minutes after posting, she passed away. I did not see any signs of what caused it. I'm curious about the activated charcoal. I use that for myself when my stomach is off. How do you give it to a chicken?

 

[Eggcessive]

I haven’t used it before, except on humans in a hospital setting. But it should be similar. I think that @azygous has recommended it before. Very sorry for you r loss. If you would like to have your state vet do a necropsy where they can find a cause of death, keep the body refrigerated, and here is a link to contact them:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[azygous]

Give charcoal capsules as you would a human, directly into the beak. The rule of thumb for how much to give is it should be equal to the amount of toxic substance consumed. If you don't know, then give two capsules immediately and two more in a few hours, and two more in the evening.