Catalpa tree flowers edible?

[noahsmom]

We have a blooming catalpa tree in the backyard with flowers falling and wondering if these are safe for my chickens to eat?

 

[noahsmom]

Bump... Anyone have any clue?

Thanks

 

[Li'lFlock]

It's that time of year again. And this is my first go with feather babies. I have catalpa flowers all over my yard and Google is no help on if these flowers are ok or even edible for humans, let alone chickens. Don't know if it will be ok to let them run around outside of their run or not. They are drawn to the color white. So, I'm guessing they'd go nuts over the flowers too.

 

[happybooker1]

Google Search: catalpa flowers poisonous and you'll get quite a few hits.

 

[keesmom]

In 20 years I have never had one chicken show any interest in eating catalpa flowers.

 

[henryraven86]

Those are not good to eat at all but i do have some passion fruit vines for sale if you like? If you do please message me.

 

[Li'lFlock]

Thanks all. I let them out under close supervision. They were curious. They take occasional bites. But a lot of the flowers are sort of sappy. They don't care for that feel on their beaks. So they move on to their favored items and no I'll effects from the nibbles.

 

[JbycB]

I have snacked on wild northern catalpa flowers of Virginia for years, with no ill effects, and find them a delightful, lovely, fragrant, wild snack, and fresh addition to omelets & salads. I like the faint honeysuckle & sweet pea like flavor & scent. When they dry softly to a honey color, they are like fluffy toasted raisins. Someone said she thought they had a slightly bitter under-taste, but I and others don't, so that might be the particular tree, another variety, or air pollution.
Over the past weeks I collected almost 2 pounds of dried blossoms from my trampoline each morning, and what don't go in my oatmeal, I have put in several containers in the freezer for later.
I'm surprised that I can find very little literature on their food value, but no explicit proscriptions.
I can imagine that a lot the soft tissue of the blossoms might interfere with proper gizzard function (they can also make a sidewalk slippery), but I do see chickens eating flowers & greens, but not a lot of them, and usually when there is plenty of water available.

 

[FlockVillemaire]

I have just read that they attract Catalpa worms that chickens totally adore! Just shake the tree and delicious protein rains down!???