Devil's Club: Awful Plant, or Worst Plant?

[GraceAK]

I assume you know what Devil's Club is (if not, Google it), so I will jump right to my questions:

Is it okay to let chickens free range through a temperate forested lot filled to the brim with devil's club?
While this plant was designed (most likely) by Satan himself, it would also provide shelter from airborne predators, and very likely land borne predators as well. Is this correct?
I'm worried about the chickens poking their eyes out or getting bumblefoot or something; do any of you have experience with this most diabolical of plants?
Will I have to clear the whole lot?

Thanks guys!
Grace

 

[Imp]

I think chickens would OK around Devil's Club. Just not people. I seem to remember that the stems weren't that close together. And aren't the leaves edible? Why don't you give it a test and let us know.

Imp- even the leaves are thorny. Thanks for reminding me of one of the nightmares of childhood.

 

[KenCoesta]

Yikes!
I'd be more worried about the humans getting bumblefoot!

 

[GraceAK]

We tend to get bumble-entire-body up here, for expressly that reason. Thanks guys!

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Bumble Body

Around Devil's Club that very true.

Imp

 

[Illia]

I don't think I've ever had a Devil's Club problem, let alone Cow Parsnip - Both are those "don't harm it and it won't harm you" type plants. I must say though - Devil's Club is beautiful.

 

[GraceAK]

Quote:
I agree whole heartedly about them being beautiful, especially devil's club, but I like to "orienteer" (aka wander around in the woods) and that stuff can be a pain. It's just annoying and it grows darn fast!