Chickens eating red berries

[Kissthekiwi]

Hello! My chickens are eating these red berries in my yard. Anyone know if they’re dangerous? I’m in CA. Thanks!!

 

[ashlierami]

Hello! My chickens are eating these red berries in my yard. Anyone know if they’re dangerous? I’m in CA. Thanks!!

I think that's a firethorn. I found it on this list amongst other plants that's are no good for chickens . I included the link .
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/comprehensive-list-of-poisonous-plants-and-trees.627282/

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Chickens eat everything and anything that is red, that includes the hottest red peppers on planet Earth or your painted toe nails. That looks like rose hips or Multi floral rose to me.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Looks like a Pyracantha or fire thorn & wild birds love it. Why would it b on a no list for chickens?

 

[JedJackson]

It is definitely firethorn or Pyracantha, to give the botanical name. The seeds contain cyanide. A few berries probably won't hurt chickens, but a lot will.

The reason wild birds can eat the berries without harm is because they poop the seeds out, whereas chickens digestive systems will grind the seeds down for digestion, exposing them to the cyanide. The red, juicy part of the fruit will not harm chickens-- it's the seeds inside that can be lethal.