Weeds in Chicken Run, safe for hens or pull?

[DaisyMaeChickenLady]

Hello!

Me and my husband are new chicken owners and I was hoping for some advise. We live in the rural Midwest (Kansas) and thus have an abundance of weeds in our yard which despite our best efforts, come back year after year.

Currently my chickens are in a totally enclosed run with an attached coup. The ground beneath the run is sand (for easy cleaning). We recently put up a larger fenced area where the chickens could be let out into to run and forage while we are put doing yard work and this is where the problem comes in.

We have a variety of weeds, some of which I believe I have identified, but can find little information on if they're safe for chickens to eat or not. Basically, if they're toxic, we will hand pull them to keep out flock safe, but I don't want to do that if it's something the chickens could eat and enjoy.

Here's what we have and a few photos.

Summer Cypress or smother weed, also known as Mexican fire weed.

Pigweed

Lambs Quarters

Common Mallow

Toothed Spurge

Common Sunflower

So much Bind Weed!

Honey locust Trees.

So, are any of these weeds a danger to my chickens? Any time they get close to anything green (fresh lettuce, herbs, etc) they go absolutely nuts so I am sure they would at least sample everything in the outer run. Should I hoe everything and start again with chicken safe ground cover? Any advise? Do your free range chickens ever eat toxic plants, or arw they pretty good at avoiding them? I don't want to do anything to endanger my flock!

Thank you all for any help!

 

[DaisyMaeChickenLady]

Here are photos and plant info.

 

[Sally PB]

Lambs Quarters

You MUST pull the Lamb's Quarters. Take them into your kitchen, wash thoroughly. Snip the leaves into a salad, or steam them. Better than any spinach. Oh, yeah, the chickens like them too.

Do your free range chickens ever eat toxic plants, or arw they pretty good at avoiding them?

Chickens usually don't eat anything that is poisonous.

Here's some information about weeds that are toxic to chickens.
https://www.cacklehatchery.com/18-weeds-that-are-toxic-to-chickens/

 

[Brooks_]

Chickens usually don't eat anything that is poisonous.

Agreed. And the chickens will probably kill them anyway.

 

[DaisyMaeChickenLady]

You MUST pull the Lamb's Quarters. Take them into your kitchen, wash thoroughly. Snip the leaves into a salad, or steam them. Better than any spinach. Oh, yeah, the chickens like them too.


Chickens usually don't eat anything that is poisonous.

Here's some information about weeds that are toxic to chickens.
https://www.cacklehatchery.com/18-weeds-that-are-toxic-to-chickens/

Sally,

Haha! Yes, my grandmother made use of many "weeds" on the farm and Lambs Quarters were a favorite! Thank you for your reply and the link. I will read through.

I didn't think my girls would eat anything toxic, but they REALLY love their greens and I'm afraid they'll go hog wild and eat everything!

Thanks again for your help!

 

[DaisyMaeChickenLady]

Agreed. And the chickens will probably kill them anyway.

Brooks,

Thank you for your reply. That is what I had heard from other owners, I just wanted to be sure. I appreciate your help!