Foxtail

[Ywilliams64]

Hi, I am a new mother of 8 6week old chickens, and I have behind their coop a couple of ferns of Foxtail ferns and they have munched on them. Should I be concerned about them ingesting foxtail? I can’t seem to get a good answer and I really hope that I have not killed my chickens. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ChicNmom]

I don't know about foxtail but in general it seems chickens know not to eat certain plants.

I have more problems with them wanting to eat metal or plastic or some kind of indigestible fiber.

 

[PrettyCoolChicks]

I am not familiar with Foxtail ferm specifically. Doing a quick search, it seems all parts of the plant are toxic to humans, cats and dogs but I couldn'y find exactly why. I would assume it is toxic to chicken too.

That said, I have plenty of plants in my garden and in the run that are known to be toxic to poultry. Like ChickNmom, my birds have never had issues either. My birds have tasted the toxic plants but they seem to know/figure out what's good for them or not, and have not gotten sick. They haven't eaten any of the toxic ones in the run unlike other plants that used to grow there.

If your chicks just tasted the plant, I wouldn't worry about it, but keep an eye out that they don't eat large amounts.

 

[Apis mellifera]

I wouldn't worry about it. They may pick at them but won't eat enough to get sick. Maybe a small amount is actually beneficial.

The foxtail fern is only mildly poisonous to both humans and pets. Swallowing small amounts will likely not cause symptoms. If your skin comes into contact with a foxtail fern, it may cause minor irritation from a compound known as sapogenin. It’s always a good idea to exercise caution and keep foxtail ferns out of reach of children and pets who may be prone to ingesting them.

https://missouripoisoncenter.org/is-the-foxtail-fern-poisonous-to-humans/

 

[Ywilliams64]

Thank you for your reply to my question. They seem to enjoy the Foxtail fern and did eat a couple of stems. They did not strip the stem and I lost sleep last night thinking that I have just killed my chickens, but I got up this morning and they all seem to be fine, but I will be throwing the plant out. I have another question and that is if I let my six week old chicks out how do I get them to go back into the run When they will not come near me. I do have one who was recently sick and have grown quite attached to me, that will come out of the coop and will go back into the run Without any issues, but my other ones are a bit skittish so I am afraid to let them out.

 

[Apis mellifera]

but my other ones are a bit skittish so I am afraid to let them out.

They will go in the coop naturally in the evening anyway. Chickens are very easy to condition. Every time you approach them call "chick, chick, chick" and toss them some treats. Before long they will just run to you when they see you.

 

[ChicNmom]

@Ywilliams64

When you first let the little ones out they will stay near the coop, their safe place. Then they gradually expand outward as they get comfortable. They will want to go in at dusk. And as said, treats at bedtime are a good motivator.