Question about oleander

[Zoopathy]

I have two dead/dying oleanders in my yard that I am in the process of removing. As we all know, they are toxic as all get out (can't even be burned because the smoke is toxic!). Once they're out, I'm wondering if it's safe to place my coop in the same space...? The trees and leaves will be gone, but I wonder about toxicity in the soil. My hens will be free-ranging about half the day, but will be tucked in a run (over that soil) the other half. I'm thinking about a couple of inches of sand in the run, but I know they'll dig and til it all up, anyway.

Any thoughts? Is it safe to put my sweet girls there?

 

[GardeNerd]

My understanding is that even roots of Oleander, Nerium Oleander, are toxic. Oleander is also alleopathic which means the plants inhibit the growth of other plants near by releasing a natural plant chemical into the surrounding soil.

I usually error on the side of caution when it comes to any thing hazardous. If it was me, and if I had no other option, I would only place my coop there after the roots had a long time to decompose and leach out.

My only suggestion, if you can't put it anywhere else, is to dig the area out a bit and put hardware cloth down under the run and filling over with sand or soil. It would work to keep predators out of the run and prevent the hens from digging down into the former root system.

 

[Monk]

GardeNerd, nice pics. The flowers are awesome!

 

[Zoopathy]

I do have a couple of other placement options, but the oleander area would provide the most open space and easiest access. The coop I'm currently building is modeled on the "Playhouse Coop" design, and will be moveable. One of my thoughts about placing the chickens over it is that they will help to repair/revitalize the soil in that area, but I can always dump their poop and bedding there and scratch it in myself.

Thanks for the insights.

Anyone else have any experience with chickens and oleander, good or bad?