Rhododendrons ok for chickens?

[1newchickontheblock]

I'm going to start building the L'Oeuf Shak this weekend (yay!) I cut down some large gnarly rhodendrons to make room for the coop and run. I left a good-sized stump in the ground so they have a natural roost/jungle gym in the run area. There are also a lot of small rhododendron plants popping up all thru-out the area. I imagine they would munch on these, or maybe just leave them alone if they weren't tasty... Are these poisonous in any way? Obviously I would remove them if that's the case...
thanks for your feedback!

Rose

(edited for spelling)

 

[silkiechicken]

No idea... we have rhodies all over the place in our acidic soil and the chickens never bother them.

 

[dappertophatter]

They are thought to be poisonous to chooks (can't remember where I read that, I think on a UK chicken board). I've got no personal experience on this, all my rhodies are in the front yard, a chicken-free zone.

 

[1newchickontheblock]

Quote:
hmm, worth more research - on to google!

 

[crazyhen]

All the Rhody family is poison. Azaleas too. Don't know how they would affect the hens but they usually leave mine alone except to grab a bug now and then off them. Also they like to get under them in hot weather for shade. Gloria Jean