More specifically, are MORNING GLORYs toxic to chickens

[duckidaho]

They seem to be pecking at the little morning glory weeds that grow in our lawn. We were planting some bigger ones, obviously a different varient, on an arbor. Any idea if they will get sick if they peck at it. Or will they just avoid it if it is poisonous.

 

[sammi]

sometimes the taste, or "tang" will make them stop pecking..


I always try to pull up any wild morning glories in their area..
better safe then sorry.

 

[Judy]

I don't know about toxic, but some varieties are a hallucinogen for people.

 

[dlhunicorn]

yes they are...the seeds in particular.
The amount digested (and age of the bird as well as any "tolerance" built up over time from the bird occasionally taking a peck here and there) will ultimately determine the damage... (oftimes there is damage from a toxic weed/plant that goes unnoticed as the damage weakens an internal organ or such which might not immediately cause symptoms.)
It is wise to remove this weed (or the birds from the area it occurs)... also wise to remember where the area was to prevent them from picking up the seeds next spring while freeranging.

 

[binklet77]

my brahma chicks love morning glory and I have been picking the leaves so they could eat it. I didn't know it was toxic until now. They are eight weeks old and haven't shown any symptoms of sickness. Have I accidently poisoned my chickens so that they will die a slow painful death? Is there anything you can feed them to help rid the body of the toxins from Morning Glories?

 

[OldGuy43]

Home-grown Morning Glory's are NOT toxic. Having said that, as FlockWatcher stated all parts of the plant contain d-lysergic acid amide, an alkaloid derivative with 1/10th the potency of LSD. South American Aztec Indians have been using them in sacred rituals for hundreds of years.

Most commercial producers of Morning Glory seeds coat them with a poison to discourage their use as a recreational drug.

Source: Recreational Drugs

 

[growyourbrew]

Are there any other wild growing plants that are toxic to chickens?? I just give them piles of cut mountain grass...

 

[OldGuy43]

Are there any other wild growing plants that are toxic to chickens?? I just give them piles of cut mountain grass...

Here's a list compiled by my alma mater:

http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxic1.html

 

[eresospam]

I know I'm commenting on an old post here but my chickens and geese adore morning glorry flower heads when they drop off. They seek them out. I didnt know they were toxic so I'm glad to hear they're probably not! They are all over my land and wrapped round all my roses etc. They are a pest really.

 

[Victorianlady1860s]

If they are wild with white-pink blossoms they may be bindweed.