Weeds to watch for???

[EggsForIHOP]

It's probably on here a trillion times...but I was curious if specifically anyone in texas (think Houston - ish) knew of anything NOT to let chickens get a hold of and eat? I know it's midnight...but my first official outdoor play area for the chicks will be complete before dawn or shortly there after (I keep weird hours) and I would like to put the chicks out tomorrow if it is nice...so what should I watch for in the yard and make sure they can't have? Keep in mind anything specific to the armpit of Texas that I should watch out for.

We don't do any chemicals outside - so while it is non-toxic in that regard we also have quite the little weed factory a-going(it's the only flower garden I can grow). Is there anything I should beware?

Also, it's fairly patchy out front, with lots of sandy dirt mixed in with the grass/weeds....so...should I put some baby grit out for them or will they go to town with the sand that is there or should I worry because of the sand? They are just a little over 2 weeks old....don't want to kill anyone out of ignorance...but I bet I may be over thinking this...

Someone help this over protective parent!!!

 

[Illia]

I'm not from Texas, but I can tell you that if you look up toxic plants to poultry, you'll find great lists and reasons why for weeds and such. But, that matters on if you know your local plants or not.

Otherwise I'd say wait until someone local can say.

 

[EggsForIHOP]

That's the problem...I can't tell what anything is!!! But if I know what it is called I can ask the neighbor to point it out to me (he's the crazy plant guy)- sadly though, the neighbor doesn't know anything about chickens! I tried google and just got confused - so I am hoping I can find a local who knows what to watch for. Thanks tho!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I have never heard of a chicken being poisoned from eating a plant that was toxic too them. For the most part plants that are poisonous also taste bad. I have several species of plants on my property that I know to be toxic, some acutely so, but all of my birds ignore them. Ripe pokeberries are an exception, but then they are a popular food for a lot of wild bird species so they must not be harmful to them even if the rest of the plant is.

None of this applies to plants that have been sprayed with something poisonous.

.....Alan.

 

[fastpat]

When I put the roosting branch, Tulip Poplar, in the brooder it still had a few small limbs with young spring leaves on them. Those leaves were consumed one little chick bite at a time. A neighbor has cows that love them, so I figured they weren't toxic. I'd recommend getting a medicinal herb book. Lots of plants that make for good medicine are toxic if eaten, humans or other animals. There is at least one Weed Book, I have a copy, available on Amazon I think.

 

[Supermommy486]

I'm in Texas too, Austin area, and I haven't heard of anything yet either.