Yew Berries & Chickens - How much is too much?

[AppleMomma65]

We have low growing yew bushes in the front yard where the chickens like to hang out. This time of the year, the bushes have berries that are red and delicious looking - and at the perfect height for the chickens. I've seen some of the ladies picking/eating them with no - apparent - ill effects (I haven't checked their poo ...). Does anyone else have these shrubs? If so do you pick off the berries (the wild birds LOVE them so I'd hate to pull all off)? I could pick the ones around the edges and leave the ones in the center. Thoughts/comments?

 

[Folly's place]

All parts of the Japanese yew are toxic, at least to mammals. Birds do seem to be able to eat berries that we shouldn't, and I have no idea how many, or which. Think poison ivy, spread by birds everywhere! I suspect that if your birds haven't yet dropped dead, they maybe won't over this. You could either eliminate the plants, or fence them off.
Mary