Yellow Starthistle and chicken tractors

[poltroon]

I was visiting a friend who has had great success ridding her pastures of mustard by putting her chicken tractor over it. This has me thinking about Yellow Starthistle, which is a nasty weed that is toxic to horses (but palatable to goats and sheep). I have not been able to find any information about chickens and star thistle - pro or con. What I see suggests that it's probably not toxic to chickens since the comment is "only horses". Obviously, if so, I can do the experiment to find out if they'll eat it or otherwise eradicate it for me.

Anyone ever try it?

 

[Tam'ra of Rainbow Vortex]

Mine haven't tried to eat it, and there is one growing right outside their coop. But they do range over a third of an acre, so my guess is other things taste better.