Are Christmas trees chicken safe????

[Mikesbirds]

We cut our own tree locally, it's a great source of income for smallholders around here. Most don't treat the trees with anything, at least not out in the field. We don't use any tinsel on the tree and we feed it to our goats, the wethers or the kids. It's "goat chocolate," one of their favorite snacks. We don't give it to the pregnant does because some say too much evergreen can cause them to abort. I don't give it to the milkers either, because it makes the milk taste funny. So our poor chooks don't get to play with the tree at all.

 

[ole-crone]

I still think that we should always remember that even small tree farms might add color to their trees - especially Scotch Pines, which turn yellow in the winter. Perhaps next year we should all ask the grower if anything was added because we want to give the end result to the birds.

 

[FarmerDenise]

Our cousin has a tree lot every year. The trees he gets are not routinely sprayed with anything. They come from a small california farm and also from oregon farms. If they go to a business, the tree has to be sprayed with fire retardant by law here in California. He charges extra for that, by the foot.
But, it is good to check, if your tree has been sprayed.
I wouldn't want my critters getting anything toxic.

 

[dlhunicorn]

the main hazard with the xmas trees are the sharp needles which may puncture the crop.

 

[Cutepal]

If the tree has ornaments, glitter, or if it is made out of plastic and paper streamers, don't let them, otherwise you can, it would be like them discovering a pine tree.