Planting in my coop

[stone_family3]

Are butterfly bushes okay for chickens? What about rose bushes? They're technically going to be on the outside hanging over the run.

 

[teach1rusl]

Sure!

 

[laughing man]

you bet!

 

[Animalian]

Here are some sites on plants toxic to chickens.

http://wiki.omlet.co.uk/index.php/List_of_plants_that_are_poisonous_or_harmful_to_chickens

http://poultrykeeper.com/chickens/health/poisonous-plants-for-chickens.html

 

[cpwhip]

Butterfly bushes thats a great idea!

 

[AZBootsie]

Quote:
This first site lists alfalfa as toxic for chickens?? I give mine alfalfa?? anyone else??

 

[stone_family3]

It was mixed in with the hay I bought, they've had access to it for 5 days.

 

[ninabeast]

Quote:
I'm confused. Top of the first list of poisonous plants is "alfalfa", yet I've read here that people give their chickens bales of alfalfa as greens in winter, and I was planning on doing same. Does anybody know for sure if alfalfa is harmful to chickens or not?

 

[Zonoma]

http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/toxicagents/saponin.html

Apparently, the saponin (toxic part) content in alfalfa is lower in the spring, fall, and winter but higher in the summer. Also, there have been cultivars developed that are generally low in saponin. That might be where some confusion is coming in. This site lists symptoms of poisoning. Personally, I stay away from the stuff - there's far too many other things I can give them for greens.

 

[Hawkeye95]

you could plant grape vines and honeysuckle, too! It will really grow well over the top and offer up a lot of shade!