Can they eat it? Weeds ID - North FL

[Sarahh_Janeyy]

Spring is coming here, and the weeds have started growing. I don't know what these are and if the chooks can eat them! Would love input. I'm in Gainesville, FL. I feel like in the past I looked up the purple ones and they were bad? Thanks for your input in advance!

 

[Mtnboomer]

The purple looks like creeping charlie. If so, my chickens love it

 

[Sarahh_Janeyy]

I think the purple one is Henbit/deadnettle if anyone can confirm? I found that it's safe for chickens. The yellow one looks like Corydalis, but I'm not sure. And I think that's not safe for chickens. Any input? Thanks!

 

[tallahasseelassie]

I put the pictures into a plant identification app that I have on my phone and it said the purple one is henbit deadnettle and the yellow one is golden corydalis! I have fed handfuls of henbit deadnettle to my chickens before but I have no idea about golden corydalis. When I find a new plant I google the plant name and something like “can chickens eat” to see if its ok to feed to my chickens.

 

[Alaskan]

The henbit dead nettle is safe for chickens to eat

BUT they will only eat it when it is young. It gets very stiff and spiny when older and can really hurt your hands.

You have to rip it out when it is still young soft and tender.

Not a danger to chickens at any stage.. just they stop eating it when it is mature.

 

[Alaskan]

The other one is bad... not sure about chickens, but for other livestock

"This plant reportedly contains up to 10 alkaloids. Sheep like this plant, and eating as little as 2 percent of their weight can cause clinical signs. Less than 5 percent can be fatal. Although this plant reportedly poisons cattle and horses, they generally are much more resistant than sheep. Goats are least susceptible, cattle intermediate, and sheep are most susceptible. Livestock losses from this plant are much lower in Texas than in other states, such as Arizona."
From. https://rangeplants.tamu.edu/plant/golden-corydalis/

Whenever I see that one I rip it up.

 

[Birdsonghill]

Purple is for sure henbit! I worked killing it in lawns years ago! It is edible when young and can be added to salads, they say! BTW, azaleas are deadly to sheep as is a lot of ornamentals. I had that misfortune of some of mine once getting out and into my azaleas. None died but I had to stomach syringe(drench) them with activated charcoal and they were very sick a few days. Some could not stand up and their tongues were swollen.