Rhododendron Flowers?

[DellaMyDarling]

I guess I stopped worrying too soon. One of my hens is gobbling down the flowers from the rhododendron.

Edit: future reference. Article states the exact dosage per size and species of animal that may have consumed such a plant. Note that rhododendron, azalea, and mountain laurel are all same genus of plant and carry said toxicity.
https://extension.umd.edu/learn/toxic-plant-profile-rhododendron-and-azalea


I think Google established that leaves are the most toxic, but my son is saying she's just wolfing down flower after flower so we must be approaching toxic levels.
Why do animals gotta be dumb sometimes?

I really didn't want to cut this bush down. The hens use it for shade. It's an important plant for bees. It's native here, it's big, it's beautiful in terms of growth and size (I actually hate rhododendron and would never choose to plant one...but it is a nicely growing shrub for sure.) Do you see no other way than to cut it down?

What do I do for the potential toxicity? What should I watch for?

 

[GoldpartridgeHen]

Try this:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/herbs-flowers-and-weeds-for-chickens.67493/

 

[DellaMyDarling]

Right, I totally know it's a problem
What I don't know now is dealing with the consequences.

 

[Willowspirit]

I guess I stopped worrying too soon. One of my hens is gobbling down the flowers from the rhododendron.
I think Google established that leaves are the most toxic, but my son is saying she's just wolfing down flower after flower so we must be approaching toxic levels.
Why do animals gotta be dumb sometimes?

I really didn't want to cut this bush down. The hens use it for shade. It's an important plant for bees. It's native here, it's big, it's beautiful in terms of growth and size (I actually hate rhododendron and would never choose to plant one...but it is a nicely growing shrub for sure.) Do you see no other way than to cut it down?

What do I do for the potential toxicity? What should I watch for?

If you want to keep it, you could surround it with a dog xpen or decorative fence panels. Amazon is one source.

You would have to find different shade for them though.

The ASPCA has a description of symptoms of toxic exposure in mammals. Apparently some animals will eat it as you have found. Good luck! https:/aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/rhododendron

 

[DellaMyDarling]

Here's the best info I found regarding toxicity by dosage per animal. Going to try to add to first post, could this link be made a sticky somewhere?

https://extension.umd.edu/learn/toxic-plant-profile-rhododendron-and-azalea

What I still need to know is how to treat my hen if she presents with illness.

 

[DellaMyDarling]

This is one quarter of an ounce of rhododendron flower. Do note they are wet with dew, making this a slight over measure.
This is said to be toxic per 5 pound bird. I unfortunately do not have a weight on my hens, I'd guess about 5 pounds for the in question eater.

 

[chkva]

I would pull it up and replant it where the chickens can't get it or put fencing around it... I don't get some animals who eat toxic things, but look at kids today... Eating tide pods

 

[chkva]

Flushes for toxin removal...

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

 

[DellaMyDarling]

 

[DellaMyDarling]

Saw a few hens have what I assume is diarrhea. It's nearly all liquid with a few color streaks in it. Went "squirt".
Looks like molasses flush time? Corralled all but the Roo into the coop. Boy they're mad at me but they're trying to eat the flowers as we're taking care of the bush.
Can I use the molasses flush recipe and provide only that water in the fount in coop? Keep them locked in for now?