New 6 week old hens just ate poisonous plant (Mayapple), what are the next steps?

[Skyla]

We just got 4 new 6-week old hens to introduce into our flock. The chicken run is surrounded by this type of plant that I never knew what was, but the older hens never ate. We put the new ones into the run, and they started eating this plant like crazy. I thought it was weird the old ones didn't eat it and looked it up and turns out its highly poisonous to people and pets. The new ones didn't eat a ton of it and only had access to it for maybe 15-25 minutes. They ate a few leaves, but again not a ton. But there are very small and I'm nervous they might die from this.

What should I do? Going to a vet is not an option where I live. I saw that you can do epsom salt flushes, but should I wait to do that until they start showing symptoms in case they're actually fine? How long will it take to see syptoms?

 

[Stravager]

@Eggcessive @Miss Lydia
Are they showing any signs of issues at all? You could attempt a flush but that does run the risk of dehydration...

 

[LaFleche]

Lots of medicinal charcoal would be my first approach followed by milk thistle as mayapple not only affects the nervous system but the liver as well.

I would start treatment immediately to hopefully prevent or limit the uptake.

 

[Miss Lydia]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/flushes-for-aiding-in-toxin-removal.700526/

whichever one of these you use make sure to follow instructions to the T.

 

[Skyla]

Lots of medicinal charcoal would be my first approach followed by milk thistle as mayapple not only affects the nervous system but the liver as well.

I would start treatment immediately to hopefully prevent or limit the uptake.

What do you mean by medicinal charcoal? What does that entail? I have some ash in our fire pit, would that work?

 

[LaFleche]

Activated/medicinal charcoal would be needed.

Please, carefully read the link
@Miss Lydia provided and act ASAP.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Many places sell activated charcoal it will be in the antacid asile

 

[Skyla]

@Eggcessive @Miss Lydia
Are they showing any signs of issues at all? You could attempt a flush but that does run the risk of dehydration...

They are still showing no symptoms. If they had eaten a dangerous amount, would they have shown symptoms by now?

 

[SueT]

They are still showing no symptoms. If they had eaten a dangerous amount, would they have shown symptoms by now?

I would think so. Keep us updated!

 

[BigBlueHen53]