Ducks(and chickens) & roses

[nachoqtpie]

So, we're getting the final touches in for our duck/chicken enclosure (that will only have ducks in it until around July/August). I want to plant some flowers and such around the outside. If I planted climbing roses, would they harm the ducks/chickens if they ate them? What about honeysuckle? There's a bunch in the area that we are planning to put the enclosure. Is there anything that I should avoid planting within reach of them?

 

[jessiduck]

Climbing rose plants are okay. I'm not sure about the honeysuckle though! Good luck with your duckies and chicks!!!!

 

[Tahai]

I'd be nervous with the roses. I believe it was Amiga with the briar related bumble foot issues? Ducks were getting punctures in their feet from the briar thorns, which were then getting infected and turning into bumblefoot.

 

[nachoqtpie]

Yikes! I certainly don't want to have anyone get hurt! I don't blieve they will be able to get at them... we're putting fencing on the outside and chicken wire on the inside so they can't stick their heads thru the fence. We have large dogs and we don't want them to stick their heads out and get injured from the dogs(or worse!). So, there would be a 4" space between the fences.

Is there anyone that can tell me for certain about the honey suckle? I really love it because it smells so wonderful, but if its going to be toxic for them, we will have to figure out a way to cut it down. Its pretty thick!

 

[Tahai]

http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/Poisonous_plants.html - PLANTS POISONOUS TO POULTRY by the University of Kentucky, College of Ag.

 

[Mum]

I'd be nervous with the roses. I believe it was Amiga with the briar related bumble foot issues? Ducks were getting punctures in their feet from the briar thorns, which were then getting infected and turning into bumblefoot.

I have Rosa Rugosa along all of my rear fence, intermixed with Pyrocatha (very thorny!) and it hasn't proved an issue with either my ducks or my hens. I have another bush rose under my kitchen window (no idea what type it is) and my hens scratch around under there and haven't had any problems - the ducks don't even go there!

I have brambles growing freely at one end of my garden (its an ongoing battle) and, again, no problems.

I have honeysuckle growing over an arch and that hasn't caused any issues either.

 

[nachoqtpie]

Thanks guys... that really helps!

I REALLY didn't want to tear out all that honeysuckle! For one... it COMPLETELY covers our back fence, and for two... it smells HEAVENLY! But, if it would have caused a problem, out it would have gone.

I'm not for certain that we are going to do climbing roses, but, I do want to plant a few things in front (the part facing our house) to make it look a little nicer.

 

[Tahai]

sweet peas or garden peas, maybe?

 

[Oregon Blues]

NC. You might be able to plant a grape vine. They grow fast, are pretty to look at, and provide fruit for your family.

 

[nachoqtpie]

We have some grapes already along one of our fences. I just had an idea for sunflowers! Not a big fan of peas, but I guess it doesn't really matter because the ducks are!