As with all nutritional toxicology, it is the size of the dose, and the poison present in the plant that will determine whether the animal lives or dies. If you are unsure then it is best avoided. The berries are listed as a good food source for wild birds. Some of those are boxwood, cotoneaster, all types of laurels, oleander, many types of lupines (bluebonnets), larkspur, delphinium, daffodils & narcissus. Blue star junipers are poisonous to dogs. The name of the shrub is "Cotoneaster". Ingestion of a few berries is considered non-toxic. If you have any plants to add or if your chickens regularly eat any of these ‘poisonous’ plants, or even if you are worried about a certain plant, not on this list, please leave a comment below and … Chickens go feral all the time with no one to watch over them to make sure they don't eat this or that. Pears: Pears make a great treat. Pears can be pretty hard. Have a clearly defined run and clip primary wing feathers if necessary. You must log in or register to reply here. Similarly, my chickens just aren't interested in eating my daffodils. Cotoneaster is in the rose family and doesn't appear to be poisonous. While holly has a low toxicity level, the leaves contain saponins, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and drooling in your chickens. Yes, for birds, they are good to eat. For instance, daffodils are poisonous to most animals, including chickens. I had a few die mysteriously following that. Grow some things especially for them like dandelions, lettuce or courgettes. Flowers are violet or blue; berries are yellow or orange. Poultry in general and chickens in particular are foraging birds by nature and have a well developed sense of what is good for them and what is not. Try to keep chickens away from any holly trees. Join BYC FREE here to see fewer ads, post questions, upload pics, & more! By Neil Armitage Published on November 21, 2018. All parts of the plant are toxic, but the berries are especially poisonous. That doesn't mean all species are safe but like I said it doesn't appear to be poisonous. Anything mouldy – mould often contain mycotoxins which can be deadly and spores can be a problem. The chickens do not mess with most of the weeds in the large pen, other than the grasses. Thepoisonga.. I have not lost any in the large pen. They contain a mixture of … Chickens seem to be pretty smart about what they can and cannot eat--they've been free-ranging for centuries! But many people have dogs or cats as well as pretty spring gardens in their yards, because dogs and cats generally won't eat these poisonous plants. Consuming a quantity of green leaves, acorns or blossoms on black, red or yellow oak trees can be disastrous. Chickens have fed on or been seen eating these plants and coming to no visible harm. If ingested, immediately call the Poison Control Center -- (800) 222-1222 -- or your doctor. Cooked beans are fine. Unlike other livestock animals, chickens have a keen sense of knowing what plants are poisonous and what plants are good for them. This is not an inclusive list, and be aware that these plants can be found in other areas besides pastures, such as meadows, wilderness areas, and sometimes in gardens as volunteers. I really want to free range them more but i can't ALWAYS be standing there shoo-ing them away from the shrubs. To protect your flock from toxic plants, click the following article for a list of plants that could be dangerous. Major Toxicity: These plants may cause serious illness or death. Birds love the berries and are unharmed by them, so just leave the berries for our feathered friends to enjoy this fall and winter. And I heard that chickns somehow know what's good and bad for them, but still had to ask. They do not naturally eat a lot of salt in their diet and it can poison them. Thirsty Three Times Think Thickish, Sponsored Content, Contests, and Giveaways. Onions are not good for any pets and chickens are no exception. Though it isn’t one of the most deadly plants out there, it’s best not to let your pooch play fetch with juniper wood. They do not appear on the list of plants poisonous to humans, but if the berries are eaten in quantity they can be toxic. My Hens are laying on the floor or outside. ... Plants with poisonous berries include American bittersweet, cotoneaster, holly, juniper, pokeweed and yew. Cooked beans are fine. My flock free ranges and has been for over a year and a half now. Because holly can grow up to 4 feet per year, keeping chickens away from the bushes is easier than digging them up. I agree with chookchick, I'd not worry about it. I have a pasture area I was considering opening up to my chickens and ducks and it has a large 6ft bush in the middle with lost of berries. The berries are green and they ripen to black. Mycoplasma gallisepticum -MG- in chickens, Why chickens stop going into the coop at night, Myths and facts surrounding chickens and yoghurt, Can chickens eat Eggplant, Aubergine or Brinjal, Cold tolerance of young chickens and growers, Like my content? Maybe they are poisonous? Other toxic substances – what else isn’t good for your hens. So don't overdo the green leaves and let them forage for the grass is a better idea. One essential part of a sheep’s day is that of grazing. Mahlzeit-the sticky is just a comment section for the treat chart. The dose, as always, determines if a plant is safe source of nutrients or a toxic hazard. Can't find much on the foliage except that one species of this plant is highly endangered due to being eaten by herbivores such as sheep and rabbits and another is listed as not dangerous to livestock. Bear in mind some green leaves contain oxalic acid and whilst this won't kill them it may make the feel a bit crappy for a few days. They are pertty good at eating good things. The Latin name for these plants is Solanaceae and they contain a compound called solanine which is toxic to chickens. Both have access to plants that I have no idea what the name of is. Prevention is far easier than cure. The complete guide of what your chickens can eat. REACH OUT TO ME ON TWITTER WITH THE LINK ABOVE. Can't find much on the foliage except that one species of this plant is highly endangered due to being eaten by herbivores such as sheep and rabbits and another is listed as not dangerous to livestock. Sign up to be on our email list, Other toxic substances – what else isn’t good for your hens. JavaScript is disabled. You should consider removing or at least fencing off this plant. I wouldn't be too worried about it. Today was the first time my 8 13 week old pullets free ranged (because i was actually home to watch them for their first time out). The main risk with ingestion of large quantities of berries is mild gastrointestinal irritation such as nausea and vomiting, which would happen within 15 to 30 minutes. Make sure you know what you are feeding them, your chickens will likely eat whatever you present them with as you feed them all the time. Plants that we have moved to the next list are the ‘maybe not dangerous’, in the same way curry plant is not a danger to humans but can make you feel unwell. Berries from the cotoneaster family seem to be poisonous for them – but that is anectdotal: I had planted some little shrubs with bright red berries and let my chickens out, who promptly ate them. Thanks so much! Cotoneaster – Clusterberry The berries of most species causes some degree of poisoning and gastroenteritis if eaten. Some manifestations of toxicity are subtle. Or visit our Learning Center for articles on How To Raise Chickens. The foliage and seeds are poisonous causing severe purging and pain if swallowed. Buy freshly milled organic chicken feed shipped direct from the fields of the midwest. "Poisonous" does not mean deadly. This is a poisonous plant for dogs, and if they eat the plant, especially the fruit which comes after flowering, they may die. What plants will kill your chickens - The poisonous plants list: Anything mouldy – mould often contain mycotoxins which can be deadly and spores can be a problem. Dried raw beans contain hemagglutinin which can be toxic to your chickens. I have a free range flock, and another in a large coop with a very large pen. Lots of you raise backyard chickens that are allowed to roam your backyard, either supervised or unsupervised, and might wonder if your existing landscaping is okay if your chickens happen to nibble on it (which they are prone to do!). All the green parts of the members of the nightshade family including potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants. Cotoneasters' leaves, berries and flowers all contain cyanogenic glycosides. The exception to this is the plain ripe tomato but all the green parts of the plants should be avoided. Laburnum A small tree with yellow flowers in spring. 25 Oct, 2011. However, these might be good cut in small pieces. Free range chickens seem to avoid things that are not good for them. sugar messes with the calorie protein balance of the diet. Just make sure they always have layer food available so they aren't too hungry. They really seemed to be interested in the row of shrubs along the garage. Nothing that I know about cotoneaster is poisonous, and it should grow back fast enough to survive their plucking. It is quite rare for a chicken to eat poisonous plants as they seem to have a well developed sense of smell. Like they try eating leaves from it. Many plants such as aucubas, cotoneaster, berberis, honeysuckle, holly and rowan all have enticing berries that have a low toxicity or are non-toxic. I have lost some of the free rangers to fox, and perhaps some other predators, but never to a plant, that I know of. Kalanchoe Be careful before free ranging birds in an ornamental garden. Sorry to have to disagree with Eclectic but Cotoneaster is considered to have berries with low to no toxicity. If in doubt, keep harmful plants away from your birds. Plants potentially harmful to people. The warning comes from TV gardener Charlie Dimmock, the face of the world’s most dangerous garden – the Poisonous Pawtanical Garden in South London. Dried, raw beans - Uncooked beans contain hemagglutinin which can be toxic to your chickens. It gives a fairly comprehensive list of plants commonly found in areas with goats, but it is not complete. Silverleaf nightshade grows in fields, pastures, and roadsides from Missouri to Texas and California. Below: This action shot of my free range Wyandotte bantams enjoying the sunshine on open grassland. Before you go stripping every last plant out of your garden or pasture please remember there are incredibly few cases of poisoning by plants in poultry. The berries on your cotoneaster are not considered edible and should not be consumed. There are many landscaping plants and flowers that are poisonous plants for goats. Does Poultry keeping pay? Salty foodstuffs like human food leftovers. Chocolate or sweet things - Chocolate contains toxin methylxanthines theobromine. It concerns me that the local wild life has not eaten the berries. You’ll find it mainly in the southern half of the UK in woodland, along paths and in scrubby areas. Poisonous Parts Due to the Cyanide that is contained within the Cherry Laurel, the leaves and berries are poisonous when eaten by the horse. Yes, holly berries are poisonous to chickens, goats, humans, and many other animals. Cotoneaster is in the rose family and doesn't appear to be poisonous. When you purchase through links on our site, I may earn an affiliate commission. They are more likely to be hit intentionally or by rat poison or similar. Ex battery hens may need a bit more supervision and training. The Cherry Laurel produces white flowers around April and then small cherry like berries which turn black around Autumn time. Here is a list of some plants that are poisonous to chickens: The list, based on what veterinarians have told me and I have picked out of old poultry books. ... the leaves are toxic and should not be fed to chickens or even placed in the compost. 26. Some plants are poisonous to chickens although they are generally quite savvy about what  to eat and what to avoid. The compound can be broken down if the plants are cooked however. I wouldn't worry. The berries, needles, and stems contain compounds that can make your dog mildly sick with vomiting or diarrhea. While some of the better-known poisonous plants are perennials such as foxglove (Digitalis spp.) Blue Green Algae found in water can be fatal so ensure water sources like ponds or water containers are clean and kept covered. If you have a flock of sheep, it’s important to know what plants may be poisonous to sheep. Leaves are irregularly round-lobed or once or twice pinnately deeply lobed; veins are spiny. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Some are not fatal but are best avoided. This is the common small flowering shrub with the violet, lilac and white flowers, all on the same plant. One problem comes with confinement, chickens may eat plants that are bad for them if they have nothing else to nibble at. Before you release your chickens into the abundance of your backyard or decide to plant a garden surrounded by chicken wire specifically for your flock, there are a few potentially toxic plants you should know about. If plants are poison to humans then it is likely they are no good for your poultry. Varieties of holly grow across the U.S., but it’s is especially abundant in the Southeast. COMMON POISONOUS PLANTS Lilies are extremely dangerous and will kill cats, and especially kittens, even if just a very small amount is ingested. Please contact us if you feel we have missed anything we will build a clearer picture over time. Toxicity Class (third column in table below). Salt has the same bad effects on chickens as humans. Will my birds know better than to eat something poisonous? Possibly not poisonous after-all list. I'm a first time chickener so I was kinda worried. It does not appear on the HTA list of potentially harmful plants nor in reference books. Theobromide in chocolate can kill easily and in small quantities. The rabbits chowed down on the peels but didn't touch the cores. Here's one of the lists of toxic plants. Minor Toxicity: Ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea. Both the flowers and seed have toxic properties. Peaches: This fruit is soft and perfect for the beak of a chicken. Preparation of the pasture your birds spend their time on is a sure fire way to protect them. http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/htm/bc/ttox04.htm, Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures, Thankful Thursday. The berries are listed as a good food source for wild birds. Remember, chickens are foraging birds by nature. Diatomaceous earth and how to use it for chickens. These are shrubs and tropical trees. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This web page is devoted to the caprine species, and to many of the plants out there that can kill them. To search for photos of these plants, check the UC Berkeley CalPhotos: Plants site.. Buffalo burr is an annual spiny weed 1-2 ft. tall. This is an evergreen shrub which can grows to around 6 meters high. This list of plants mirrors the HTA (Horticultural Trades Association) guidelines and includes garden plants and houseplants that have been known to cause injury, either by contact or after being eaten. Many plants that are poisonous to dogs are very common in backyards.These toxic time-bombs range from being only mildly toxic (for example, causing vomiting) to being responsible for serious canine health problems.If you wish to err on the safe side, thoroughly research all the vegetation and berries that your dog has access to. These plants are not only extremely poisonous to poultry, but also to many other types of livestock and humans. Mouldy food should never be fed to chickens as the mould can cause illness and may be fatal. Give your chickens plenty of access to fresh pasture with lots of grasses to eat and they are less likely to consume the plants that will hurt them. All the green parts of the members of the nightshade family including potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants. Daffodil Elderberry Lamb’s Quarters. Yes, holly berries are poisonous to chickens, goats, humans, and many other animals. and annuals (in the North) such as castor bean (Ricinus communis), there are also a number of shrubs that bear poisonous berries, seeds, or leaves.Many of these bushes are so commonly grown that, even if we have learned of their toxicity, it is easy for us to let our guard down around them. Just like too much sugar is bad for humans, too much sugar can cause your chickens to be overweight leading to a drop in egg production. Berries: Berries are delicious to chickens, and they are perfect bite-sized snacks. I don't see cotoneaster, but I just glanced. Overripe, wilted vegetables, or stale bread is all fine as long as mould is not present. The Latin name for these plants is Solanaceae and they contain a compound called solanine which is toxic to chickens. I gave the cores and peels to the chickens and rabbits. A choking hazard is also possible if small children try to swallow several berries at once. 7 ways to profit from chickens. Any ideas? I’m not going to test them on my chickens! If you are worried, it is better to just not feed these plants to your chickens. Cluckin.net is supported by its readers. Chocolate or sweets. Does anybody know if this shrub is harmful to chickens? I believe there is a sticky on top of the feed and water section showing what is good and bad for your chickens. I'm frequently asked what kinds of plants, bushes and trees are safe to plant around chickens. So any cooked potatoes or aubergines are generally ok to give to your chickens. I don't worry about it. Toxicity and symptoms. It is by no means exhaustive and I have not been able to verify whether they are poisonous or if it is just old wives tales. No poisoned chickens. This article was updated on July 20, 2020.