Is Arugula OK for chickens?

[lengel]

It has such a strong flavor that I wonder if it has something in it that isn't good for some species. However, it is taking over my mesclun greens and I would love to be able to feed it to someone . . .

 

[Dawn419]

I'd try feeding it to them and see if they eat it and wouldn't worry about the strong flavor.

I've noticed that our flock all have different tastes, individually. Some of them like dandelion greens, others don't. Some like the dandelion flowers, others dont...


Hope this helps!


Dawn

 

[digitS']

lengel, arugula is just exactly one of those garden veggies I'd be suspicious of . . . the primary reason - - I don't like it

!

I was a little startled to learn that arugula is a brassica. (Note all the admonitions about toxic nature of brassicas, especially grown under certain conditions.) I finally got to looking at it as a "radish" and realized that it is sorta like eating radish leaves.

Hey! I've got better tasting radish leaves in my garden right now!!

Okay, lengel, what I'd do is not "force" the hens to eat it . . . you know, pile it in the run and give them zero choice. Out of sheer boredom . . . who knows what they might do !

I doubt if it will hurt them but it just nearly brings tears to my eyes thinking that they'd be given arugula while tender mâche or sweet butterhead lettuce is just beyond their reach . . . .

Steve

edited to say . . . and leave the horseradish greens completely OUT of the run, thank you very much indeed!

 

[SeaChick]

Ha ha, this is funny. I just thinned out my arugula and offered it to the big girls and the chicks. No one seemed too interested!! It must be too strong-smelling.

 

[Scarletpyxi]

My Buff Orpington LOVES arugula and broccoli, and she has been fine eating it, the plants aren't fine anymore as a result but she certainly enjoys eating them whenever she gets the chance.