Is it okay for chickens to eat bushes and evergreen pine needles?

doshpashta · Jul 9, 2012

I let my chickens roam around my front yard from time to time, and they seem to have a strange interest in my bushes and evergreens. I read online that chickens tend not to eat the spiky pine needles, since they are not interested in them, but mine are. Do you think there's anything unhealthy about that?

chicmom · Jul 9, 2012

I'm thinking that chickens really don't eat the pine needles, but are probably just scratching and digging around them, looking for insects and foraging. I would still let them roam the yard, since I'm sure they enjoy it so much.

furbabymum · Jul 9, 2012

Pine needles are toxic to horses. I imagine that means it'd be toxic to chickens as well.

ChickensAreSweet · Jul 9, 2012

I have read about pine needle tea -
http://www.ehow.com/how_2102192_pine-needle-tea.html

I personally wouldn't be concerned about my chickens scratching and eating that but I'm laid back LOL.

duckinnut · Jul 9, 2012

As far as pine needles go, it won't hurt them. Mine eat them right of the white pines in my yard. I have a patch of small trees that they hang out under and have eaten all the needles that they could reach by jumping. Also when the pines grow new growth from the end of the branches they ooze sap that attracts flies which also catch the girls eyes.

Is it okay for chickens to eat bushes and evergreen pine needles?

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