Azalea & Elephant Ears

[ChickenDad228]

Well where do I start. So first off we azalea bushes lining the brick towards the house on the chickens side. So I have read many articles stating that azaleas are toxic to chickens. The Bushes have been there years before we got the chickens so they were there when we first put the chickens out to their new home. Since then, they have snacked and developed a taste for them. They will jump 2/3 feet up to snatch down a azalea flower & devour it. Never have they been sick, shown signs of any kind, no personality change, just almost like they have grown a tolerance to them. Also the same thing with the elephant ears. I planted a bunch for shade not knowing that they were toxic but soon after I planted them (about 15) the chickens decided to try a new snack. Again no signs of sickness, irritation, absolutely nothing. It’s as if they have built up an immune system to the toxins. My chickens are only 7 months old.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I don't worry about anything that my chickens find to eat whether supposedly toxic or not. However, I have quite a variety growing. If you can plant a lot of tender forbs, they will opt for them over the shrubs, etc.. I like to plant alfalfa, clover, beets, radish, forage turnips, peas for winter and buckwheat for summer.
I have a lot of pokeweed growing. The mature leaves and the berries are poisonous. The chickens are eating them now and have done so for many years. No dead chickens.

 

[imnukensc]

Many, many azaleas in my yard. If the chickens eat them, I've never seen it have an effect on them. Never seen the type of elephant ears you posted.