Is this ivy what I think it is?

[howdyitsmia]

Our chicken just started laying a few days ago, and her eggs taste chemically. I made a thread about this, and people said it could be the plants that she eats, so I started trying to figure out what this darn ivy is called.

I’m pretty sure that it’s Virginia Creeper, can someone confirm? I live in Utah.

If it is, is it bad for my chickens? They’ve been eating bits of it their whole lives and they’ve been fine, so I just assumed it was ok.
Could this be making our new layer’s eggs taste weird? I just bought an all flock feed and switched her off medicated chick feed to see if that helps too.

Thank you!

(Let me know if this was he wrong thread to put this in)

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Looks like creeper to me. Poison Ivy typically vines upwards and it seems like it would have quickly trailed up the tree trunks. It would cause a rash like the devil got a hold to you if it was poison Ivy! I don't know if it's bad for chickens or not. My chickens instinctively stay away from the poison ivy I have growing on my property.

 

[chickenlittle21]

If it grows little grape like fruits then it is Virginia creeper and it is poisonous

 

[tripletfeb]

I would think it is the medicated chick feed. My first pullet eggs tasted chemically too and when I switched them to the layer feed, they tasted better! It wont hurt to eat the eggs until they are switched over, just do it soon!

 

[MROO]

Yup - That sure looks like Virginia Creeper, although how you can have it growing that densely and not climbing up the tree trunks is a mystery to me! It's not advisable to let your birds eat the stuff. It's definitely not good for them, but it shouldn't kill them unless they're eating the berries. Those are toxic to chickens and people, and should be avoided. Do NOT let them forage in there - as even old berries are toxic. I don't know if this is what's making your pullet's eggs taste odd, but if you can keep your birds out of the creeper, you'll be eliminating a potential toxin from their diets.

 

[RubelliteRose]

It looks a lot like Virginia Creeper, but not quite right unless it is a regional variation. The leaves of VA creeper in my yard are narrower. I've seen it both on the toxic and safe plant lists, but my chickens don't eat it anyway.

 

[chickenlittle21]

This is the Virginia creeper in my yard

I'm surprised yours is on the ground, @howdyitsmia

 

[howdyitsmia]

Yup - That sure looks like Virginia Creeper, although how you can have it growing that densely and not climbing up the tree trunks is a mystery to me! It's not advisable to let your birds eat the stuff. It's definitely not good for them, but it shouldn't kill them unless they're eating the berries. Those are toxic to chickens and people, and should be avoided. Do NOT let them forage in there - as even old berries are toxic. I don't know if this is what's making your pullet's eggs taste odd, but if you can keep your birds out of the creeper, you'll be eliminating a potential toxin from their diets.

I have no idea how to keep them out of there! Do you think it’s fine if they’ve been ok thus far? Or do I need to get started on a yard work project and rip it all out? Also, I pull it off the trees because my mom doesn’t want it going up

 

[howdyitsmia]

I would think it is the medicated chick feed. My first pullet eggs tasted chemically too and when I switched them to the layer feed, they tasted better! It wont hurt to eat the eggs until they are switched over, just do it soon!

I just switched to all flock today, since I also have some younger girls I don’t want to get sick. That’s good to know that it got better for you, thanks!

 

[howdyitsmia]

It looks a lot like Virginia Creeper, but not quite right unless it is a regional variation. The leaves of VA creeper in my yard are narrower. I've seen it both on the toxic and safe plant lists, but my chickens don't eat it anyway.

I’ve also found a whole lot of mixed opinions on it. I think my chickens have stopped eating it as much as they used to, but I haven’t seen any signs of illness so far. Man I really don’t want to have to cut this stuff down. It’s been growing for decades, it’s like a jungle out here!