Is it okay to feed them Oxalis?

[l'abeille]

Our new chickens seem to love Oxalis, otherwise known as sorrel. You know, the rampant weed that looks like shamrocks and makes brilliant yellow flowers in winter here in the Bay Area. It is very sour tasting and probably high in oxalic acid. Any reason it would be bad for chickens to eat that?

Is there a list of poisonous (to chickens) weeds and ornamental plants on the web anywhere?

 

[Imp]

Here's a couple links to poisonous plants. Hope it helps. I have oxalis growing in my yard and don't think I've ever had a problem. Although I've never seen the chickens eat it. I think they eat clover though.

Good luck,
Imp



http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/htm/bc/ttox04.htm

http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html

 

[Akane]

Oxalis is named because of the level of oxalic acid. It's not exactly toxic but too much oxalic acid starts to do interesting things in the body including blocking calcium absorption. It also makes calcium and oxalate stones in the kidneys and bladder of at least mammals. A little is fine. A lot can be bad for some animals. Some are more resistent to the effects than others. I'm not sure how sensitive birds are to it.

 

[digitS']

Oxalis (Oxalis acetosella) = wood-sorrel

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is something completely different.

Clover (Trifolium) is something completely different, again.

Steve

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=267893

Searching BYC didn't turn up that one?

 

[l'abeille]

thanks everyone for all the helpful info. looks like oxalis will be an infrequent treat for our flock.