English Ivy

[Glamrus1]

We just had some very evasive English ivy removed from our house. That has also just about taken over every tree in my yard, as well as most of the ground under the trees.
My question is; will it be ok to add a small pile to the run for my 11wk old chicks to forage in? The ivy was removed manually, with NO chemicals.They have already eaten what was growing from the ground in their run. TIA

 

[Sc_chickengirl]

Absolutely!

 

[nuthatched]

It's toxic so I wouldn't.

 

[Sc_chickengirl]

It's toxic so I wouldn't.

Good to know! I had a friend that had it growing around her coop. Don’t think it affected the birds but

 

[nuthatched]

Good to know! I had a friend that had it growing around her coop. Don’t think it affected the birds but

Well, if they've already been eating it, it may not effect them

 

[Glamrus1]

Well, if they've already been eating it, it may not effect them

They ate what was growing on the ground in their run with no side effects. But it wasn't a lot. Their run is 10x10, and set down flat on the ground. They only ate what was there.
But if it's toxic I won't add any from the house to their run. I just wanted to give them some homemade entertainment. Thanks

 

[Perris]

You might find this useful @Glamrus1
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2021/08/is-ivy-poisonous/

 

[Mother of Chaos]

You might find this useful @Glamrus1
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2021/08/is-ivy-poisonous/

It's always entertaining to read gardening advice (especially knowledgeable advice like the above) from different continents.

In North American, English ivy (Hedera helix) is often horribly invasive, yes - it chokes and eventually pulls down trees, and isn't terribly helpful as a food source for natives, compared to Virginia creeper (Partheocissus quinquefolia) as an example. Virginia creeper is a very, umm, enthusiastic grower , but it's easily pulled out and controlled, with lovely fall colors and berries.

 

[Perris]

It's always entertaining to read gardening advice (especially knowledgeable advice like the above) from different continents.

In North American, English ivy (Hedera helix) is often horribly invasive, yes - it chokes and eventually pulls down trees, and isn't terribly helpful as a food source for natives, compared to Virginia creeper (Partheocissus quinquefolia) as an example. Virginia creeper is a very, umm, enthusiastic grower , but it's easily pulled out and controlled, with lovely fall colors and berries.

Virginia creeper is popular here too, especially to cover quickly any ugly building like a concrete garage

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Virginia creeper is popular here too, especially to cover quickly any ugly building like a concrete garage

Oh yes, won't take long for that! Its one disadvantage for that sort of situation is that it's deciduous, so in bare-branch late January, a decrepit concrete structure covered in bare vines looks like something from one of the "Living Dead" zombie films.