Chickweed species safe for my flock?

[chickenmomma1108]

So after harvesting some of our wildflower seeds and garden plants (yay, grew some summer squash for the chickens for snacks this year!) I was browsing online & bought some “chickweed”. Keep in mind-I am no plant expert..I know nightshade is bad news (for everyone) and have tried to keep weeded the Carolina horsenettle. That is worse than thistles in my book!

Ok, so late night browsing chickweed and purchased some. I see the name is “Cerastium biebersteinii” - since it is still chickweed aka boreal chickweed, would it be safe for the chickens as a snack? If it is something not safe for them, I won’t have it anywhere near their run. I have tried to look this plant up, but don’t get a really good answer if it’s chicken safe .

I do see the name of the safe chickweed is “stellaria media” aka common chickweed. If that is what they can eat safely as a snack, I’m willing to find that “chickweed” instead.

Who knew raising chickens would have me looking up plants left and right?! I have to admit it is refreshing to find things that both chickens and humans can eat and some are quite neat in being used for salves, tinctures, etc.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I can';t find any literature on it being used as any animal feed - but likewise, I can't find anything indicating its toxic to livestock, either. In a search of my usual sources. It is, apparently, a known attractant to certain butterfly species, and a bee attractant.

I therefore assume - barring evidence to the contrary - that its not dangerous, but of negligable value as fodder/feed, either because the plant is too tender, or because the nutrition simply isnt't there.

In any event, my experience is that, given options, chickens will not eat anything short term harmful to their health to excess - often they will try a bit (the explore the world with their beaks, after all) then ignore it for the rest of their days.

 

[chickenmomma1108]

I can';t find any literature on it being used as any animal feed - but likewise, I can't find anything indicating its toxic to livestock, either. In a search of my usual sources. It is, apparently, a known attractant to certain butterfly species, and a bee attractant.

I therefore assume - barring evidence to the contrary - that its not dangerous, but of negligable value as fodder/feed, either because the plant is too tender, or because the nutrition simply isnt't there.

In any event, my experience is that, given options, chickens will not eat anything short term harmful to their health to excess - often they will try a bit (the explore the world with their beaks, after all) then ignore it for the rest of their days.

Thanks for your knowledge! I have seen them try something & do exactly that - peck it and move on. Not sure what catnip tastes (and smells) like to them, but it isn't something they like after a first peck! I will find the safe "stellaria media" aka common chickweed - so I know it will have some nutritional value as a snack.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Heh, just me admitting what I don't know, and that my usual sources failed me. Glad you found value in it.

 

[chickenmomma1108]

Heh, just me admitting what I don't know, and that my usual sources failed me. Glad you found value in it.

Yes it certainly had value, thank you

With chicken snacks or plants in general (whether for chicken or human consumption), I like the saying “when in doubt - do without”. There are many other good plants to grow for them or us

 

[pecky33]

Chickweed is a common wild weed/herb in a lot of places (I don’t know it’s exact range). My chickens have always LOVED it and it is completely safe for them, even healthy! We even fed it to them as chicks! We would pick it out of our front yard (as long as it isn’t sprayed) and give ot to them fresh like that. I didn’t know you could buy it, though.

 

[chickenmomma1108]

Chickweed is a common wild weed/herb in a lot of places (I don’t know it’s exact range). My chickens have always LOVED it and it is completely safe for them, even healthy! We even fed it to them as chicks! We would pick it out of our front yard (as long as it isn’t sprayed) and give ot to them fresh like that. I didn’t know you could buy it, though.

I had seen it was quite common in yards/acreages, but it wasn’t on our farm All we had was curly (sour) dock, pennycress, Carolina horse nettle, etc. Happy to have some clover, broadleaf plantain, and dandelions among our grass…they will stay & hopefully thrive. lol, if I find out a neighbor has it in their yard (not sprayed) that would be nicer than buying seeds online for sure..we just have farmers crops around us. It has been fun for me to brush up & learn new stuff regarding plant identification/uses other than garden plants, flowers, herbs, etc. and nice to know if things are “chicken safe” or not.

 

[FrostRanger]

Chickweed is edible for humans too, I used to make chickweed sandwiches growing up

 

[U_Stormcrow]

as reminder, this thread started because the OP purchased "Cerastium biebersteinii" (Boreal Chickweed), an ornamental, not in the same family as the “stellaria media” (Common Chickweed) and had questions about its suitability.

This is a situation where being very precise with our language and "chickweed" experiences would benefit the conversation, since one of these things:



is not like the other:

 

[FrostRanger]

as reminder, this thread started because the OP purchased "Cerastium biebersteinii" (Boreal Chickweed), an ornamental, not in the same family as the “stellaria media” (Common Chickweed) and had questions about its suitability.

This is a situation where being very precise with our language and "chickweed" experiences would benefit the conversation, since one of these things:

View attachment 4054516

is not like the other:
View attachment 4054518

Good point, I was referring to common chickweed