Toxic run vegetation inquiry!

[Eyejuggler]

Howdy!
I did a search on the topic of Rhododendrons and found a mixed bag so I thought I would post it here.
We are super newbies and have three girls that are about a month away from going into the run outside.
We are busy prepping the area, getting postholes drilled, moving the coop in place, and etc. However we have a Rhododendron and a Mock Orange. We will be removing the Rhody as we read it was toxic to chickens, my question is once its gone there are probably much residual dead leaves and blooms (we will clear them out as best we can), will this be an issue?
Pic of the future run and coop with Rhody left of the coop.
Thanks in advance!
Dave

 

[LittleMissCountry]

I don't know that it would hurt to leave it, but others that have more experience may give you better advice. It doesn't look like it is actually in the run area in the picture. We have all kinds of plants that are poisonous to chickens near the coop. Our chickens free range at least a few hours a day, and after tasting everything, they leave the poisonous ones alone. We have several black locust trees arpund the coop, which are supposed to be toxic to many animals. The flowers are edible. The chickens tasted the leaves initially, then left them alone. When they flowered, they gobbled up the flowers. They seem to be good at knowing what they can and shouldn't eat.
Now if the rhody is actually in the run, they might eat it just because there are not other options.

 

[Eyejuggler]

Thank you for the reply!
The Rhody is outside the main run, but will be in the mid run so were still deciding.
I had read they are smart and differentiate between toxic plants, were probably going to still remove it and put in something more shady and friendly.
Thanks again!
Dave