Is this safe?

[MotherOfChickens]

So I am outside breaking down dead branches into smaller pieces to burn and use in my bird's dust bath. I noticed that the branches are covered in lichen moss/algae. I also know chickens will eat wood ash... So, is lichen safe if it is burned into ash along with the wood and the birds eat it?

 

[1goose2ducks]

I’m not sure about burning it but my birds love to eat it raw.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I’m not sure about burning it but my birds love to eat it raw.

Ugh, that would be a lot of picking off lol... Hopefully someone has experience with this stuff lol

 

[aart]

Nice pic... I like lichen.
I doubt it's a problem to burn it for chicken bath ash.

Best wood for dust bath ash is hard wood...maple, oak.
Can't remember who told me that, someone here that's pretty smart...
...and actually tested the theory of softwood vs hardwood ash...birds chose hardwood.

ETA: found the reference I was thinking of:

Well yes I do. I have a lot of brush, much of it not hard woods, like cottonwood, a fast growing self pruning tree (they drop limbs constantly it seems). The girls do not dust in ash from these soft woods, burn out an elm stump and they dig it deep!
As I understand it, there are things in the hardwoods that are not in soft woods.

Click on arrow at top of quote to go to that thread to read more of the conversation.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Nice pic... I like lichen.
I doubt it's a problem to burn it for chicken bath ash.

Best wood for dust bath ash is hard wood...maple, oak.
Can't remember who told me that, someone here that's pretty smart...
...and actually tested the theory of softwood vs hardwood ash...birds chose hardwood.

ETA: found the reference I was thinking of:
Click on arrow at top of quote to go to that thread to read more of the conversation.

Thank you @aart ! The branches from this tree are from a Honey Locust. I think it is nearing the end of it's life cycle as it isnt producing pods much these days and the branches are breaking off whenever it is windy... honestly, it needs cut down.