Are apricot leaves poisonous peafowl and other birds?

[Max0815]

I had a peahen some time ago(It's gone now, but I have it in my profile pic ). When I go outside, I usually spend some time to pick leaves from my apricot tree and feed it to her.

Today, bored, with nothing to do, I decided to search up poisonous plants, and ended up on this site(Wikipedia). According to it, it states that the apricot seed, stem, and leaves are poisonous.

This has deterred me quite a bit. I had fed my peahen apricot leaves(~5 per day) for a long time, and my peahen showed no signs of poisoning. Me, being me, am planning to get another chicken or another peahen again. What I would like to know is that if this is tolerable to a chicken or peafowl to eat apricot leaves, because I do not want to end up poisoning my own bird.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Lot's of things are poisonous or toxic to some degree.

Something that causes a headache or belly ache could be considered either.

Some things will process out of the system while others (like tansy ragwort) may have a cumulative effect, slowly building the toxin over time. Things is... many animals will show NO "signs" (that you noticed) of poisoning until it's too late! While I wouldn't rush out and cut down the tree, I certainly would NOT be offering something POTENTIALLY toxic on a daily basis.

If you have a suspicion or question simply DON'T feed the apricot leaves! Bet they like the fruit when the season rolls around to.

Seems like grass or any number of other plant materials available would be more suitable. Like spinach or lettuce or cabbage or peas. Bet they love meal worms!

If you get a chicken (not sure about pea fowl) they are happiest in groups of not less than 2, they are flock animals. I personally never go with less than 3.

It's good that you are looking into things!

 

[Max0815]

Lot's of things are poisonous or toxic to some degree.

Something that causes a headache or belly ache could be considered either.

Some things will process out of the system while others (like tansy ragwort) may have a cumulative effect, slowly building the toxin over time. Things is... many animals will show NO "signs" (that you noticed) of poisoning until it's too late! While I wouldn't rush out and cut down the tree, I certainly would NOT be offering something POTENTIALLY toxic on a daily basis.

If you have a suspicion or question simply DON'T feed the apricot leaves! Bet they like the fruit when the season rolls around to.

Seems like grass or any number of other plant materials available would be more suitable. Like spinach or lettuce or cabbage or peas. Bet they love meal worms!

If you get a chicken (not sure about pea fowl) they are happiest in groups of not less than 2, they are flock animals. I personally never go with less than 3.

It's good that you are looking into things!

Thank you very much for your reply! I appreciate your feedback!

 

[007Sean]

I know apricot seeds contain arsenic, not the hard stone shell but the kernel inside. I don't have any knowledge of the leaves containing arsenic but it could be possible. Apples are another that contain arsenic in their seeds.

 

[KsKingBee]

I know apricot seeds contain arsenic, not the hard stone shell but the kernel inside. I don't have any knowledge of the leaves containing arsenic but it could be possible. Apples are another that contain arsenic in their seeds.

That is what I was thinking about the apricots and the pit containing arsenic. I did not know that apple seeds to too. In the fall when the apples are falling, we feed huge amounts of rotting apples and the birds eat them all up so I don't think the apples cause any risk. Since the OP said they feed the apricot leaves and did not harm the birds I assume all is fine there too.

 

[Max0815]

That is what I was thinking about the apricots and the pit containing arsenic. I did not know that apple seeds to too. In the fall when the apples are falling, we feed huge amounts of rotting apples and the birds eat them all up so I don't think the apples cause any risk. Since the OP said they feed the apricot leaves and did not harm the birds I assume all is fine there too.

Apple seeds, plums, apricot, peach, and cherry pits all have a lead compound in them. I suggest you make sure your birds don't eat the seeds of an apple. Lead is a chemical the builds up without any symptoms until it is too late. I guess just don't feed them anything potentially toxic, or is toxic.