List of poisonous plants for ducks and waterfowl from the British Waterfowl Association

[SignoraBel]

I have been reading a lot about ponds and duckponics/duckponix and have read several entries wondering about safe plants. Now, I am guessing ducks "know" what not to eat, but I decided to go and search to see if I can help us all build a list. Please feel free to add any missing here and we can create a nice reference.

Black (deadly) nightshade
Foxglove
Potato sprouts
Bracken
Some Fungi
Privet
Bryony
Hemlock
Ragwort
Castor Bean
Henbane
Rapeseed
Clematis
Hyacinth bulbs
Rhododendron
Common St John’s Wort
Hydrangea
Rhubarb leaves
Corn Cockle
Most Irises
Sweet pea
Daffodil bulbs
Laburnum seeds
Tulip
Daphne berries
Lily of the Valley
Vetch
Delphinium
Meadow buttercup
Yew
Some Ferns
Oleander
Laurel

According to them: "Listed below are some common examples of poisonous plants including native species and
common garden plants. Also remember that blue-green algae is quickly fatal; water containers should always be kept clean and access to stagnant water should be prevented
especially in hot weather."

PS: In their Aviary instructions they add the "poisonous laurel should be avoided" so I am adding it to the list.

 

[Duckopolis]

Thanks, but I thought Tulip was okay.

 

[Going Quackers]

Tulips have always been toxic to much more than birds...

I usually try my best to avoid the toxic plants mind you i do have the clem in the garden under my house and the birds seem to ignore it... i have heard birds left to free range tend to learn and know what plants to avoid, the penned birds suddenly let loose tend to have less knowledge on plants species and which to avoid.

 

[SignoraBel]

Poultryhelp.com has a more comprehensive alphabetical list of plants known to be toxic to poultry under the Toxic Plants title. The list notes:

"Common names are in capital letters, Scientific names are in lower case.
Each entry includes both names, the part of the plant that is toxic, and what effect the toxins have."

And yes, I am sorry to say tulips are indeed included. Now, this does not mean you can't plant them where the young and inexperience feathered people will not get to them. But probably is best not to put these plants in or close to their runs/pens/ponds.

 

[YoungsDucks]

Crap, we have a couple giant rhododendron trees in our yard. Has anyone had any success keeping ducklings/ducks away from them beyond busting out the chainsaw?

 

[Amiga]

What about a three foot fence?

 

[YoungsDucks]

That's a great idea, but the bud shells blow onto the yard. I trimmed it 6' up so they couldn't nibble around the base, but the bud shells scatter.

 

[Brooke_R]

I want to put water lilies in my pond. Do anyone know if those would be safe in case they try to eat them?

 

[Aimeeg1986]

It’s all on here x

https://opensanctuary.org/article/the-open-sanctuary-projects-global-toxic-plant-database/

 

[Aimeeg1986]

Crap, we have a couple giant rhododendron trees in our yard. Has anyone had any success keeping ducklings/ducks away from them beyond busting out the chainsaw?

According to the website rhododendrons are fine https://opensanctuary.org/article/the-open-sanctuary-projects-global-toxic-plant-database/