Bermuda Buttercup toxic to chickens?

[broodybird]

I have some chicks in a brooder now, they will be out in a couple of weeks. In preparation for their "big move," I've been clearing out a couple areas in the yard for when the girls can finally can go free range, even only for a few hours a day.

And welcome spring with all its glorious weeds!!!! lol We have an overwhelming plethora of Bermuda Buttercup (Oxalis pes-caprae). All over. Everywhere. Ugh. And according to this list, http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html#V, Bermuda Buttercup is considered toxic to chickens.

Just how toxic? (Is that a stupid question?). Do I need to excavate my entire property? Impossible. It would be easier to give up my girls (not really). Or just clear out a few spot areas and keep the girls on a "tight leash?" This weed is pervasive during spring and pops up practically overnight, continuing it's procreation well into early summer. I will never completely get rid of it, but I'd be heartbroken if something happened to any of them that I could have prevented.

 

[Judy]

You might want to just watch them, see if they show any interest in the plants. Mine live in a fenced area full of multiple plants. They eat the grass, of course, but few if any of the weeds, so that we have to mow it a few times a year to keep it below their heads. I have certain bushes I know are toxic that the chickens used to hang around daily; I never saw them eat from these, and they never got sick that I could tell. I'm not saying they would never eat something poisonous, but they certainly don't eat every plant out there.

 

[broodybird]

Thank you Judy. Makes sense. I imagine they'll leave some plants alone, just because others seem more interesting. You can bet I'll be keeping a close eye on their behavior!

 

[chfite]

I agree with Judy. Mine forage, but never pay attention to any of the poisonous plants in the yard.

Chris

 

[leghornsnorcal]

My chickens love Bermuda Buttercup--it grows great in my yard. I have read that it can hurt livestock in large quantities because it contains oxalic acid (wood sorrel does too), but they have been eating it for quite a while and never had trouble. It comes up here in winter and spring, and for the past year I have given them buttercup. It could be that they never eat enough quantity to have issues. But something else I read said that it could cause long term problems as well. I also read that it can prevent calcium from being absorbed, which would definitely be a problem for laying hens.

I would love to know if anyone out there knows more about it.

Probably a good idea to avoid it as a general rule or only feed it sporadically, even though my chickens really like it. I am going to stop letting them have it as frequently as I used to.

 

[carriemalee]

My chickens love Bermuda Buttercup--it grows great in my yard. I have read that it can hurt livestock in large quantities because it contains oxalic acid (wood sorrel does too), but they have been eating it for quite a while and never had trouble. It comes up here in winter and spring, and for the past year I have given them buttercup. It could be that they never eat enough quantity to have issues. But something else I read said that it could cause long term problems as well. I also read that it can prevent calcium from being absorbed, which would definitely be a problem for laying hens.

I would love to know if anyone out there knows more about it.

Probably a good idea to avoid it as a general rule or only feed it sporadically, even though my chickens really like it. I am going to stop letting them have it as frequently as I used to.

Same here. My chickens love Bermuda Buttercup and since it grows like crazy at our place this time of year, I grab handfuls everyday and chuck it in the run. Ohh, the sounds they make as they gobble up every last bit of it! Before reading this, I wouldn't have imagined it was bad for them. I will pull back... maybe substitute Nasturtium since Spring is looming.

 

[McChooky]

My fenced yard has a lot of buttercups in it and my chickens used to eat them when they were confined to my yard but I disconnected my electric fence and they quit foraging in my yard.They have better plants to choose from now

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My feeling is that chickens won't eat anything bad for them in nature (styrofoam is not natural, just keep it away from them) because if they did, they'd be extinct by now. We have s plethora of daylilies in our chicken run, which are toxic to chickens. The girls lay under them for shade, scratch under thrm for bugs and poop under and around them. They love the lilies and the lilies love them! But they never eat the lilies, not so much as a nibble!