How about Rhubarb?

[gmachicken]

Someone told me she thought her mom fed their chickens rhubarb leaves. I know people cannot eat this. If so how much is OK.
Thank you for your help.

 

[debid]

Rhubarb leaves are very, very high in oxalic acid. A large enough dose can kill, too much (but not fatal) can cause kidney stones, it interferes with the body's ability to absorb other nutrients, etc. I put mine in the compost pile because it's just not worth it.

Swiss chard, OTOH, looks very much like rhubarb and is completely edible and delicious. My chicks love it! When I hear people talk about seeing someone eat rhubarb leaves, I presume they meant swiss chard.

 

[gmachicken]

Hi Sorry it took me so long to check back in.
So putting the Rhubarb leaves in the compost is OK????
The O acid must break down. I will do that.
Thank you for the heads up.

 

[coldupnorth]

I wonder if they can eat the rhubarb flower stalks? I'm forever pulling them off my rhubarb. Just a thought

 

[Imp]

The very first day I had chickens, they (3 hens) in about 2 minutes ate every leaf off 2 good sized rhubarb plants. I was sure my chicken venture wasn't gong to make it even one day. But they were fine. I've never had them or others eat rhubarb leaves.

Imp- The plants have virtually died.

 

[Saltysteele]

i think they would have to consume a fairly large amount.

my dad has rhubarb, and his won't touch them. i had thrown some down in front of his guys and gals several days ago, and they wanted nothing to do with them. they were too busy looking for bugs and eating grass and weeds.

his roosters are jerks, anyway, so maybe they were just doing it to spite me