Holly Berries.... Good For Chickens?

[buffyfluffy17]

I am planning to take a christmas card picture of my 15 chicken flock and have come up with a creative idea. But this idea includes holly berries. I have taken a few from my holly berry bush and tree and fed a few of them to my chickens. There seems to be none of any signs that show my chickens have been harmed. I would like to know more information on holly berries and thier dangers with chickens.

Are holly berries poisonous to chickens? I would like to hear your answers.


Buffyfluffy17

 

[Mountain Peeps]

I have never heard they are bad. Chickens often know what is good and what isn't so if they are bad then your flock won't eat them. But many people have chickens who eat them and haven't gotten sick.

 

[drumstick diva]

I've heard holly berries were poison to pets (dogs,cats) and humans. Could be an old wive's tale but, I wouldn't chance it. Chickens have probably never seen it before so don't know it's it's okay to eat or not.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. I have never person had chickens that ate holly berries, so I am not speaking from experience, but all the sites that I've read on the subject agree that holly berries are poisonous to chickens. Some examples can be seen at http://ferndalechickens.com/plants-toxic-to-chickens/, http://www.warwickshirechickencoop.com/PBCPPlayer.asp?ID=1295240, and https://www.hensforpets.co.uk/advice/poisonous-plants. Please feel free to ask any other questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.

 

[N F C]

Welcome to BYC!

Sometimes plants are toxic but the ill effects don't show up immediately. Here's a link to a listing of toxic plants and their effects that may be helpful to you:
http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html#H
(Holly is listed as harmful to the gastrointestinal tract.)

Nice to have you join us!

 

[sunflour]

So glad you joined us.

Although its said chickens tend to know what to eat and what not to eat, most will eat anything we offer them which is different then discovering and tasting things on their own. Holly berries are listed as toxic and personally I would not offer them to your flock. There is really not enough information available on relative toxicity of most items in the lists or the amount it takes to cause harm.

 

[N F C]

After seeing chickens eat sytrofoam, bits of paper, string, etc., I don't think they really know what is good or not good for them. To me, they are more like little kids that will put anything in their mouths (good or bad). If I'm not sure something is ok, then I don't want my birds eating it. Why risk it? Better safe than sorry!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

NorthFLChick X2 I am not sure they really do know what is good for them and what is not good for them. It is not worth the risk. You might use one of those bird seed wreaths instead for a Christmas pic with your birds. Then you can let them eat it! LOL

Enjoy your holiday season with your flock and welcome to ours!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC!

Sometimes plants are toxic but the ill effects don't show up immediately. Here's a link to a listing of toxic plants and their effects that may be helpful to you:
http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html#H
(Holly is listed as harmful to the gastrointestinal tract.)

Nice to have you join us!

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

NorthFLChick X2 I am not sure they really do know what is good for them and what is not good for them. It is not worth the risk. You might use one of those bird seed wreaths instead for a Christmas pic with your birds. Then you can let them eat it! LOL

Enjoy your holiday season with your flock and welcome to ours!

Yup that is what I said too

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

We're glad to have you.