River birch and gourds

[Lisawbsn]

Are mulched leaves from my river birch safe to use in run? I know the girls can have pumpkin but what else is safe? Squash? Gourds? Trying to plan ahead. Are mums safe as well?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Squash is safe (pumpkin being a squash). Gourds probably are, not 100% sure. Don't know about the rest.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

We have lilies (scads of them!) in our chicken run. Lilies are toxic to chickens. But in the several years the lilies have been there, we have yet to lose a chicken, or to have a chicken sickened by the lilies. They scratch under and around them (bugs!); they shelter under them for shade. But they do not eat them or even nibble on them. I think you'll find the same with gourds. If they are toxic to chickens, the birds will leave them alone. If they are not toxic, they will devour them!

 

[3KillerBs]

Birch leaves are fine.

If chickens have a wide range of forage available they almost always avoid anything toxic. But if they are in a run with litter and no vegetation they will eat what you give them.

I don't know about different types of gourd, but I wouldn't give them any that's not edible for people -- just in case.