worried about spurge

[Trishkabob]

My chickens leave the spurge alone (and it shows-spreading all over.) I didn't know it was poisonous and just pulled some and then absentmindedly fed some of the leaves to several of them as they came up to check out what I was doing. They loved it. Just how poisonous IS it? Should I be concerned?

 

[cavemanrich]

At this point,, not much you can do. I would avoid getting any more pulled, and offered to chickens. I do suggest you get rid of it if you can.
There are many different varieties of spurge. My reading revealed that goats and sheep can eat certain varieties. People should avoid it, and are susceptible to complications, but article did not specify Fatality, Suggested a trip to Emergency was possible.
Your chickens most likely just ate some because they assumed it was a treat you were offering.
Most chickens do know what to not eat. I have Lillie's, and other toxic/poisonous plants/flowers growing in my yard. My chickens do not eat them. Have been keeping chickens for over 20+ years now, and had no deaths due to eating poisons.
I only keep chickens as pets, and they all live into their Golden Years, My current oldest now is 9 years old.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Trishkabob]

At this point,, not much you can do. I would avoid getting any more pulled, and offered to chickens. I do suggest you get rid of it if you can.
There are many different varieties of spurge. My reading revealed that goats and sheep can eat certain varieties. People should avoid it, and are susceptible to complications, but article did not specify Fatality, Suggested a trip to Emergency was possible.
Your chickens most likely just ate some because they assumed it was a treat you were offering.
Most chickens do know what to not eat. I have Lillie's, and other toxic/poisonous plants/flowers growing in my yard. My chickens do not eat them. Have been keeping chickens for over 20+ years now, and had no deaths due to eating poisons.
I only keep chickens as pets, and they all live into their Golden Years, My current oldest now is 9 years old.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

thanks! It was a dumb thing to do since I didnt know about spurge. We have suddenly been overrun with it and I was sort of teasing the girls - “c’mon, you guys, help me out here.” I was surprised when one pecked a leaf and ate it and the, of course, everyone else was interested. Because they do know what to eat and what to ignore, I wasn’t concerned. It was only when I looked up what it was, wondering why we suddenly had it, and so much of it, that I read it was poisonous.
Everyone seems fine today; I kept an eye on the one, in particular, who ate several leaves.
Lesson learned…
We’ve also had chickens for a long time, as pets-our current oldest is nearly 7- and while we have lost some from fox attacks, no poisonings! I ususally have more sense.
Appreciate your input. cheers!