Is It Poisonous.......

[Arenas Chickens]

..... If any of you have seen my previous posts you know I have just moved to an acerage & am just starting my very first adventure with chickens. On top of them, I wish to utilize as much of the land as I can with ... what else, plants!! From veggies to flowers. My 7 year old daughter & I want some specific flowers of course, some of which are Poppies.

While I know poppies are highly toxic to humans & some wildlife it is not made clear if chickens are included in this. While one source states they are mildly toxic but your chickens will not eat them, (LINK) I know that Chickens are much like little kids, “if I see I eat it” lol - personal experience is what I am looking for.

The link also shows Ivy, Jasmin, Lily of the Valley, & Sweet Peas as toxic as well. Ivy is my favorite plant, Lily of the Valley (is this not also called baby’s breath?) would be nice by my pond, & sweet peas have the most pretty little flowers that grow so easily.

I plan on allowing the chickens to roam in & out my garden & green house. (Probably supervised lol) I plan to plant grapes around their coop for shelter & shade - a vine plant was suggested for this & thought they like grapes & so do I so why not? (As ivy seems it would not be wise) I have also seen & heard tomatoes are good for them, but now read the leaves are toxic to them, but know people who plant tomatoes for their chickens to ‘have at’.

Is it true then that even though they’ll eat everything they know not to eat these things?

 

[BDutch]

My experience (and from what I have been reading) is that chickens know by instinct or taste what they should not eat.
E.g. I have ivy in the run. They don’t eat it.

 

[Arenas Chickens]

My experience (and from what I have been reading) is that chickens know by instinct or taste what they should not eat.
E.g. I have ivy in the run. They don’t eat it.

thanks @BDutch! I very much want Ivy around the coop, even though it isn’t very hardy in my area lol & my daughter will love knowing her new chickens will be ok with her poppies!!

 

[Chickassan]

@BDutch is right, chickens will taste everything that is just what they do but it stops at one if it isn't good
This is just plants and foodstuffs though not artificial things like Styrofoam or other weird stuff they'll eat.

 

[Arenas Chickens]

@BDutch is right, chickens will taste everything that is just what they do but if stops at one if it isn't good
This is just plants and foodstuffs though not artificial things like Styrofoam or other weird stuff they'll eat.

so right @Chickassan! Styrofoam must have something tasty in it that our ‘undeveloped’ tastebuds can’t detect

 

[Ebony Rose]

so right @Chickassan! Styrofoam must have something tasty in it that our ‘undeveloped’ tastebuds can’t detect

It's my understanding that it's the crunch, kind of like popcorn.

 

[Chickassan]

Lol! I swear mine should be poopin party cups by now goofy birds.

so right @Chickassan! Styrofoam must have something tasty in it that our ‘undeveloped’ tastebuds can’t detect

 

[Folly's place]

There's also a big difference between what's out there when they free range, having many other choices, and stuff that's the only thing available, if planted in the run, or especially thrown into their run. Mine avoid toxic plants outside, preferring good things, and it's worked out fine here.
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

Mine have never touched the poppies, ivy or lily of the valley.

 

[Mtnboomer]

My free range birds mingle through many toxic plants according to the internet reads but like others have said, they may sample but with so much other good stuff to eat, they don't pay much attention to it.

Also consider the smount needed to be ingested to cause complications. Some plants are "toxic" but they may need to eat 3lbs in one sitting before any effects occur.
One word of caution if letting them into your garden. They will destroy more than they will benefit from having access to the veggies. I work too hard in my garden to see my plants roots exposed by scratching chickens or blossoms plucked etc. My garden must feed us throughout the year and I harvest things for the gals too, but once the first seed goes in the ground and until the last harvest is made, the gates are closed to chickens.