Maple Tree Whirligigs

[mroxner]

Good Morning,
Seemingly random question here:

I have 4 60+ year old maple trees in my 1/3 acre backyard. This equals tons of leaves and, in the spring, TONS of maple tree seedlings that form from the maple whirligigs (the little things that spin to the ground when dropped from the tree). Are maple tree seedlings of any danger to chickens? Sure would be great if I could turn them loose on my pre-planted garden in hopes that they would eat the seedlings (then I wouldn't have to hand weed them all

)

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[Mahonri]

My chickens will sometimes eat them if they are green, if not they leave them alone.

I would think though that they are too big to eat.

 

[Damummis]

God God!! I hope not!! I have tons of maple trees and the chickens haven't died yet.

 

[mroxner]

Do they eat them though? or simply pay them no mind?

 

[Damummis]

You know I don't know,

Do you have whirlygigs now???? What state??? It isn't syrup time for 2/3 more weeks.

 

[blue fire]

I would pull the seeds out of the shell of it and they would eat it. If they were going to eat them I would think they need to break them open first...

 

[mroxner]

Yeah, I wish that I had sugar maples. Mine don't produce syrup.

I live in SE Michigan.

The trees drop the whirligigs and they seed themselves. Then, the seedling emerge. So I have 1-2" seedlings peppering my yard and my unplanted garden. It is these seedlings that I wonder will be eaten by my soon to come chicks.

(I have 1 buff orp and 2 speckled sussex ordered for April 5th p/u)

Thanks again everyone for the replies,
Bryan

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

I don't think they will be big weeders of the seedlings for you. Sorry.

 

[mroxner]

Thanks. As long as they don't harm them, I am ok with picked the darn weeds myself. Heck, I'm getting pretty proficient at it

I was born and raised in SE WI. Been to LAX many times. Great part of the state.

Go Pack!

 

[Damummis]

Quote:
Most Maple trees can be tapped for syrup. What kind do you have?