Pre-existing weeds Black Nightshade

[Oakland_Ranchero]

We have a lot of what looks to be Eastern Black Nightshade growing in the area where our run will be. Everything is really small and seems to be just sprouting.

Is there a way to rid of these within 2 weeks, without spraying weed killer, and it be okay to put the chickens out there? Or do I just have to till the whole area?

Is the plant itself poisonous or just the berries? Would it be okay to put the girls out there and let them have at the seedlings?

 

[Reinbeau]

I saw your question over on the Garden forum. Why not just hoe around and kill them now? If they're small they'll uproot easily, no need for any chemicals at all.

 

[Oakland_Ranchero]

Quote:
It's just a large area and I really don't have the health or energy to really do all that but I guess I can get some help though.

Do you know if the leaves and stems are poisonous also or just the berries?

 

[Reinbeau]

Tomato plants are poisonous, as are potato plants, same family. The whole nightshade plant is poisonous, including the berries. As for chickens, I don't know - birds eat poison ivy berries voraciously, with no harm, I have no experience with nightshade and chickens.