Safe Plants and Shrubs

[Cluck On]

On 2/8/2012, B.Y. Chickens posted a list of "poisonous plants and trees," listing honeysuckle. On 2/18/2018, B.Y. Chickens posted a list of "relatively chicken-proof" plants, listing honeysuckle. Which is it, OK or not? Thank you.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

When I first started I was so scared of all the "poisonous plants" listed. I think I have about 90% of them in my pasture.

It boils down for me... as long as they aren't locked IN with a poisonous or "toxic" plant then they will be fine. They are grazers and take a bite of this and a taste of that and keep moving.

Note that if a plant causes mild stomach irritation or something like that it will be listed as toxic. Doesn't mean it will kill your birds.

"Chicken proof" plants would be ones that the chickens aren't likely to peck every single leaf and leave the plant to die.

My neighbor has foxglove coming through my fence like crazy. I've got ferns galore and Tansy ragwort but God knows how many buttercup family plants... NEVER once had a chicken or chick with issues YET.

My suggestion... don't go out of your way to feed things on the toxic list and don't lock them in with it... but try not to stress too hard. If I had to rid my pasture of everything I would not be able to have chickens, goats or anything else.

So use your best judgement... I wouldn't be worried about honeysuckle. Sorry I can't be more help.

 

[lazy gardener]

If it's in your yard and the chickens choose to eat it, no problem, other than the fact that they have just destroyed your favorite shrub. If it's on the poison list, I'd not toss it into a barren run, unless I give them lots of other things to eat at the same time!

In the fall, my birds go out of their way to skeletonize the rhubarb leaves in my garden.

 

[Folly's place]

I too have many poisonous plants here. Everyone does! Free ranging chickens generally leave the bad stuff alone, and eat what's safe. You can't confine them and offer toxic plants, but otherwise, don't worry about it.
Many birds can eat things that we can't; that's how poison ivy spreads, for example! And deadly nightshade.
Mary

 

[Cluck On]

I too have many poisonous plants here. Everyone does! Free ranging chickens generally leave the bad stuff alone, and eat what's safe. You can't confine them and offer toxic plants, but otherwise, don't worry about it.
Many birds can eat things that we can't; that's how poison ivy spreads, for example! And deadly nightshade.
Mary

THANK YOU!

 

[Cluck On]

I too have many poisonous plants here. Everyone does! Free ranging chickens generally leave the bad stuff alone, and eat what's safe. You can't confine them and offer toxic plants, but otherwise, don't worry about it.
Many birds can eat things that we can't; that's how poison ivy spreads, for example! And deadly nightshade.
Mary

THANK YOU!

 

[Cluck On]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

When I first started I was so scared of all the "poisonous plants" listed. I think I have about 90% of them in my pasture.

It boils down for me... as long as they aren't locked IN with a poisonous or "toxic" plant then they will be fine. They are grazers and take a bite of this and a taste of that and keep moving.

Note that if a plant causes mild stomach irritation or something like that it will be listed as toxic. Doesn't mean it will kill your birds.

"Chicken proof" plants would be ones that the chickens aren't likely to peck every single leaf and leave the plant to die.

My neighbor has foxglove coming through my fence like crazy. I've got ferns galore and Tansy ragwort but God knows how many buttercup family plants... NEVER once had a chicken or chick with issues YET.

My suggestion... don't go out of your way to feed things on the toxic list and don't lock them in with it... but try not to stress too hard. If I had to rid my pasture of everything I would not be able to have chickens, goats or anything else.

So use your best judgement... I wouldn't be worried about honeysuckle. Sorry I can't be more help.

THANK YOU. I'M GOING BY THE WESTERN GARDEN BOOK (FOR CALIFORNIA) AND MAKING SURE I GET THE VARIETY THAT DOESN'T MAKE BERRIES. THANKS AGAIN.

 

[Cluck On]

If it's in your yard and the chickens choose to eat it, no problem, other than the fact that they have just destroyed your favorite shrub. If it's on the poison list, I'd not toss it into a barren run, unless I give them lots of other things to eat at the same time!

In the fall, my birds go out of their way to skeletonize the rhubarb leaves in my garden.

THANK YOU.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

THANK YOU. I'M GOING BY THE WESTERN GARDEN BOOK (FOR CALIFORNIA) AND MAKING SURE I GET THE VARIETY THAT DOESN'T MAKE BERRIES. THANKS AGAIN.

Some plants it doesn't have to be the berries that are actually harmful. The leaves, roots, flowers, or any portion can be. And it may not come from a single consumption but from a build up over time. For instance the Tansy does NOT process out.

When I talked with our Ag department they stated that while Tansy is a problem... really it isn't on a single persons pasture where the livestock can avoid it during grazing... but the real problem comes when hay farmers have it in their fields and buck it in their hay, where livestock cannot avoid it.

Personally if I was truly concerned.. I wouldn't plant ANY version of it... and would go with something that will be hardy enough to withstand the chickens but still provide some berries for them jump at or some other forage quality....

I try to plant edible stuff... but enough that I'm not stressed by what the wildlife consumes. I've got some high bush blueberries going in right now. The chickens will surely pluck clean everything they can reach (and even jump for as part of their enrichment) but the top of the plant will be left for me. Win win. I just have to protect the plants while they are still young and freshly planted because fresh dirt is so much fun for the birds to dig the roots out all the way.