Black Walnut tree

[Anny]

Can chickens eat black walnuts? I have a black walnut tree in my yard and Some time the walnuts might wall in or near the run...could this hurt them?

 

[greenmulberry]

Well, my yard is covered with black walnuts too, my chickens are on their second year out ranging with the walnuts and it hasn't seemed to cause them any harm. But I don't know what the official word is on that. All I know is there is nothing I can do about it, so it better be OK!

 

[HeadHen]

The only thing I know about Black Walnut is if it is used in stall bedding for horses it can cause them to founder so it was a big nono to stay away from for them. Appears to be OK for other animals...

 

[Small Town Girl]

I just read that you are not suppose to compost black walnut leaves because they contain some kind of toxin. That being said, I also read that there are certain plants that love living with black walnut trees. Naturally, I can't remember what those are.....

 

[farm_mom]

Black Walnut trees produce a toxin to most other plants called jugulone. Don't plant your veggie garden near one, and if you remove it, the toxin can last in your soil for at least 5 years. My chickens never bothered ours, and showed no interest in the nuts.

 

[fivebigreds]

my birds are housed under 2 large walnut trees and no problems.

 

[Akane]

My yard is covered in walnut trees. I had a real hard time finding a spot that I can grow veggies. There's probably 5 huge really old trees out there which means they poison the soil for around 25' from the trunk. Leaves and such contain the poison but nuts do not. In fact walnuts from black walnut trees are entirely edible just like english walnuts. They are just near impossible to open. Only people I know who go through the effort have built special spring loaded devices to crack the nuts. I just let the squirrels clean up mine. Cept then they bury the nuts and I get more walnut trees. I spend all spring cutting down little walnut trees so I don't end up with more of the darn things.

 

[Anny]

Yes I know all about the toxin of the walnut tree...darn tree... Honestly I'd be much happier if that big ol' tree was a nice table or chair right now haha.


I have found that Hosta plants love living under the tree though, they are one of the only things I'd had much luck with under that thing so far.

As long as it wont hurt the chickens though then I'm ok.

 

[Akane]

If I wasn't renting I'd be out there with a chainsaw downing those stupid trees and selling the wood. Then replant with maybe some oaks. This land would be a lot nicer in 5years if that happened. I've also been wanting to put in some fruit trees and it won't happen with all the walnuts.

 

[chickiebaby]

Thanks for asking! I'm interested too.

we recently took down a big old diseased black walnut on our property. I tell you, it was like the carpenter ant condos in there.

Question for those in the know: how long does it take the tixins to dissipate in the soil, one the once the stump and major roots are out? Dying to rototill the whole area dn start another garden, as chickens dont have access to this part of the place and maybe I could get some better veggie space out of it.


Haven't been able to find good info anywhere onhow long it takes juglone to dissipate, and whether I should treat the soil in any way befor ecommencing organic veggies.

Any smart gardeners who can help on this one?