Silver vine

[Hopperd12]

We were given catnip for our cat. We planned to give some to the chickens to calm them down as we are trying to merge the new chicks, almost 4 months old, together. But we were told it also has silver vine in it. Acts like a stronger type of catnip. Silver vine has a lot of other uses aside from making cats roll around In it. We just can’t find any information on what it will do to chickens. Will it harm them or mellow them out? Anyone know?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I do not. I did do some digging, and its effects on chickens do not appear to be well documented (in English, and published on the Internet, at least).

Poultry DVM lists kiwi vine (Actinidia Species Pluralis) as safe, and "Silver Vine" is Actinidia Polygama, one of the many Actinidia species. Sadly, that means "maybe", as ssp is an abbreviation meaning "many species, but not all".

Beyond that, my efforts to research an answer for you are hitting a brick wall, not least because of Mad Cat Chicken N Waffles 2 piece cat toy w/ Silvervine. Clutters the search up with unwanted hits. Pages and pages and pages of unwanted hits....

 

[Hopperd12]

Yeah that’s been our research as well. If the chickens can eat it, we will plant it. We are working developing our back yard In such a was that all the plant we plant can be eaten without worry.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Yeah that’s been our research as well. If the chickens can eat it, we will plant it. We are working developing our back yard In such a was that all the plant we plant can be eaten without worry.

Honestly, if you have great variety, even a potentially dangerous plant is OK in small quantity. I have a "pasture" which is, politely, a biodiverse polyculture. (Basically, I've deliberately seeded it with everything I could get cheaply which might self-propagate in my climate, then let things go). Even when the local wildlife carries bracken fern or soda apple into the area, and it takes root, the chickens and goats either avoid it completely or taste such a tiny amount that it isn't harmful to them.

Of course, my pasture looks like an acre and a half of weeds - so if that's going to be a problem with the neighbors, it may not work for you - but yes, a lot of variety will help provide through multiple seasons, reduce (somewhat) seasonal gorging on treats, and help to ensure that even mildly dangerous flora aren't eaten to the point of concerning symptoms presenting in your flock.

 

[Hopperd12]

Honestly, if you have great variety, even a potentially dangerous plant is OK in small quantity. I have a "pasture" which is, politely, a biodiverse polyculture. (Basically, I've deliberately seeded it with everything I could get cheaply which might self-propagate in my climate, then let things go). Even when the local wildlife carries bracken fern or soda apple into the area, and it takes root, the chickens and goats either avoid it completely or taste such a tiny amount that it isn't harmful to them.

Of course, my pasture looks like an acre and a half of weeds - so if that's going to be a problem with the neighbors, it may not work for you - but yes, a lot of variety will help provide through multiple seasons, reduce (somewhat) seasonal gorging on treats, and help to ensure that even mildly dangerous flora aren't eaten to the point of concerning symptoms presenting in your flock.

Sounds exactly like what I’m trying to do. The same exact way and I don’t care what my neighbors think. It can’t possibly look worse than what it is. I unfortunately can’t get equipment into my backyard on half an acre surrounded by 9 fence line neighbors.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

You should go into your profile and add a location, with as much (or as little) specificity as you are comfortable with. Lots of answers vary by region - my climate concerns in FL differ from those in Maine, Alaska, Canada. Likewise, my soil differs from Michigan, Oklahoma, "the Valley", CA. and my elevation differs from almost anyone not living more or less on the beach (OK, not true, I am close to the highest point in FL - but still less than 200ft above mean sea level - unless I stand on my roof).

If you happen to be in my zone, (8a) and similar soils, I can offer a short list of what has worked, and what hasn't. Maybe save you a few $10-15 seed packs.

 

[Hopperd12]

You should go into your profile and add a location, with as much (or as little) specificity as you are comfortable with. Lots of answers vary by region - my climate concerns in FL differ from those in Maine, Alaska, Canada. Likewise, my soil differs from Michigan, Oklahoma, "the Valley", CA. and my elevation differs from almost anyone not living more or less on the beach (OK, not true, I am close to the highest point in FL - but still less than 200ft above mean sea level - unless I stand on my roof).

If you happen to be in my zone, (8a) and similar soils, I can offer a short list of what has worked, and what hasn't. Maybe save you a few $10-15 seed packs.

I’m in San Diego. We have “potato soil”. Compacted. Waiting for the rainy season which will be around February. Plan to put down fresh garden soil and seed with a mix ground cover. 1lb bag was $15 on Amazon.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Daikon

Radishes generally.

Good for breaking up soil

 

[Hopperd12]

Daikon

Radishes generally.

Good for breaking up soil

Going to plant those. All part of the mix. I tried to update my profile. Can’t figure out how.

 

[Hopperd12]

Going to plant those. All part of the mix. I tried to update my profile. Can’t figure out how.

Finally figured it out