I am wondering about using my chickens to help control a mustard family weed (White Top, Lepidium draba) that is starting to invade a corner of our pasture which has only been used for cattle until now. The weed seems to have disappeared from the barnyard where they have been free ranging for a year. It is currently flowering in areas that they don't frequent or have access to and I'm thinking about moving a coop out there to see if they can knock it back.
Anyone have experience with controlling a noxious/invasive weed like this? Considered noxious because it contains glucosinolates that can be toxic to cattle.
I found some information about the limitations of using mustard family seeds (canola) in animal feed and that it can give an off flavor to eggs, but not much about eating the herbaceous parts.
It's not very dense in the pasture yet, so they would have access to plenty of other plants. It is spreading in part because the cows avoid it. Will chickens also avoid the mustards?
Anyone have experience with controlling a noxious/invasive weed like this? Considered noxious because it contains glucosinolates that can be toxic to cattle.
I found some information about the limitations of using mustard family seeds (canola) in animal feed and that it can give an off flavor to eggs, but not much about eating the herbaceous parts.
It's not very dense in the pasture yet, so they would have access to plenty of other plants. It is spreading in part because the cows avoid it. Will chickens also avoid the mustards?
