Mushrooms in the chicken yard????

[corriemartin]

I have a pile of hay in the chicken yard (better than mud) that my pullets love picking through (we'll throw things like watermelon rinds and other compostables onto it), but this morning there was a whole crop of mushroom sprouting on it. I have no idea what they are and if they're edible or not. Are chickens smart enough not to eat poisonous mushrooms? I seriously doubt I could eradicate them, and it's the only chicken yard they have (not that they're spending that much time in it since there are so many other interesting and tasty things outside of it), but if it's truly dangerous, I'll try to figure something out.....

 

[nchls school]

My yard has mushroom type fungi everywhere. I don't worry about it and, as far as I know, none of the birds have gotten sick/die from eating them.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Are chickens smart enough not to eat poisonous mushrooms?

Well, smart enough wouldn't be the term I would use.

I know for a fact I have psychedelic mushrooms growing in my pasture.. and a whole host of others (lobster, chantrell, morel, on and on) in different seasons.. They really don't seem that interested in the mushrooms and in the 6-ish years I've been here.. never yet had a goat, pig, duck, chicken, dog, cat or any other animal actually get ill or show any symptoms of mushroom (or other plants I have.. Tansy ragwort, wild Iris, Foxglove, bracken fern, etc) toxicity. Yes, I do see those amazing looking red capped with white polka dot ones too.

Not saying it can't or won't happen.. and I think it's always good to take a picture or sample of what you are concerned about to you local county ag department (or here) for identification.. so that if any issue does arise it can be in the roster for investigation as cause. Come to think of it my son took a mycology class and learned that some mushrooms look so much alike you can't tell which they are until you actually dissect them.

Some mushrooms (living the PNW it's a big thing) that are classified as not edible are done so because they don't taste good... either bitterness, woody texture, etc. Fungi.. a whole new world! Couple interesting and short videos..