Chick Weed????

[Crafty-Duck]

Is this Chick Weed? If not does anyone know what it is?






Thanks in advance

 

[Crafty-Duck]

Oops sorry that's *Chickweed*

 

[CluckyCharms]

Oops sorry that's *Chickweed*

Well, I don't know if there is a technical name for it, because I'm not a weed expert...but I grew up around this all my life and yes, folks called it chickweed. I have no doubt someone will come along and say "No it's not, it's 'Freuga-newton Fahrvergnugen' or something equally as tongue-twisting, but yeh, I'm going to say it's chickweed. It's the same stuff I used to stand in after the rain and swirl-twirl-curl it around my toes.

 

[Crafty-Duck]

Thanks

I thought it was but I just wanted to be sure before I give some to my chickens.

 

[debid]

Yep, it grows rampant around here in the spring and fall. The chickens love the stuff.

 

[fishnet1971]

Awww. come on Clucky, its : common (Stellaria media) and sticky (Cerastium glomeratum)!!!!

Getting acquainted with chickweed

Chickweed - Stellaria media

The binomial name for chickweed is Stellaria media. Stellaria is from the Latin stella which means "star", referring to the star-shaped flower. Media means "middle" and distinguishes chickweed for smaller and larger relatives.

Chickweed is Eurasian in origin and was brought to the New World by European settlers. The English name "chickweed" refers to the fact that chickens and other birds like to eat it.

NOTE: There are several other plants that have been nicknamed "chickweed", but the term most commonly refers to our friend Stellaria media.



Chickweed has been used in folk medicine for skin conditions, indigestion and a variety of other conditions, such as cough, rhematoid arthritis, psoriasis, stomach ulcers and as a "blood cleanser".
Today, chickweed is rarely taken internally. It's more common as a topical remedy for skin conditions such as:

• Eczema
• Rashes, burns, chapped skin
• Inflammatory skin conditions
• Insect bites, stings, wounds
• Diaper rash
• Itchy skin

Side Effects and Safety

Side effects may include contact dermatitis after skin contact with the herb. People with allergies to the daisy plant family may also react to chickweed.
Chickweed should not be used internally by pregnant or nursing women or children.
Chickweed contains nitrate. If you experience symptoms of nitrate poisoning after taking chickweed, call your health care practitioner. Symptoms may include weakness, headache, fainting, bluish fingers and lips and dizziness.
There have been case reports of muscle paralysis from very large oral doses of chickweed. These case reports, however, appear to have been isolated reports.


Sorry, I had to copy and paste this. My girls LOVE chickweed as well. Never knew it could be used in salads as an herb or as a skin stuff. How cool.

 

[Ullie]

I gave a few handfuls to my chickens and they didn't care for it

 

[fishnet1971]

Did you blanch it drain it and serve it with a side of yogurt and squash???? Try that. they will eat it then.

Just kidding. Chickens can be so picky sometimes! mine wont eat pumpkin.

 

[Ullie]

Did you blanch it drain it and serve it with a side of yogurt and squash???? Try that. they will eat it then.

Just kidding. Chickens can be so picky sometimes! mine wont eat pumpkin.

**** I knew I was missing something.

 

[windtryst]

Mine love it, but only the leaves,not the stems...