Yew tree over chicken run? Dangerous?

[goldeneggtees]

Hi, I've been told that we have a yew tree in our yard that is at least 100 yrs old. It may be a male as I don't remember seeing any fruit when we moved in last October.

Its in very close proximity to the chicken run off the back of our coop. In fact, it hangs over the run and serves to protect the chickens from skyborne predators as there is no cover to the run. The needles dot the bottom of the run. My big question is: IS THIS DANGEROUS TO MY BIRDS? I never see them eat them but they occasionally fall into their water. Does anyone know or have any advice about whether it can cause them harm?

 

[goldeneggtees]

I'm bumping this question again.

 

[Gonzo]

www.mdvaden.com/bird_page.shtmlsHere][/url] check out this site! It has a list of safe & unsafe trees.. you'll want to scrool down a bit. hope this helps

 

[Gonzo]

try this one http://www.mdvaden.com/bird_page.shtml. yews are onthe bad list...

 

[Gonzo]

I can't get the links to work! I typed in trees dangerous to chickens and found it. I'm sorry I can't get the links to work.

 

[patandchickens]

The flesh of the berries (which a male would not have) is actually the only *non* poisonous part of the whole plant.

I have no personal experience with yew and poultry, sorry, but it is SO VERY toxic to all other livestock/pets/humans, and in such small amounts to kill ya, that I would not personally mess around with it. Yeah, animals often 'know' not to eat poisonous things, but chickens in a run who are looking for entertainment or snacks, plus a plant that only takes a couple mouthfuls to be fatal... I would not risk it, personally, sorry. All's it would take is the tip of a branch to get broken off and fall into the run and get tasted.

Since it does not sound like either the yew or the chicken coop are going anywhere, you might consider putting a roof on the run (I know it's not cheap, but you might be able to scrounge materials to make it affordable enough) or even just cover the run with shadecloth, decently supported by rafters. (This won't hold up to much snow, however).

Good luck,

Pat

 

[columbiacritter]

I would worry more about a predator climbign the yew and droppign itn oyour run than the toxicity of the tree. Yews are a fairly common yard tree and not one I've ever heard anyone havign issues with. Unless you birds are activiley eating on the actual tree I'd say you are ok.

We have an incredibly toxic type of chestnut tree in our yard and it's never cuased any issue at all.

 

[cgmccary]

I have a a very large Ligustrum bush in my run as well as English Ivy, a Holly Bush and Privet. The leaves, berries, etc all fall in the my run. These are all poisonous to chickens & I have never had a problem. The chickens do not eat these plants; They seem to know what NOT to eat (at least they don't eat them in any quantity) Other than the fig bush, these are about the only green things in the run. I also had, at one time Amaryllis & Daffodils that grew in the run. These plants my chickens would devour, right down to the ground & not get sick. They "know" what they can and cannot get by with eating.

As long as your chickens are well fed and get their weekly greens, the Yew tree should be no danger. The problem arises when chickens are real hungry and the only available food is something poisonous. Out of hunger, they eat only what is available and poisonous.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Interesting. I had 3 small privets in their yard and they ate every leaf they could reach. Oh, well, they're still alive. The chickens, that is. Not sure about the privets.

 

[cgmccary]

ddawn wrote:
I had 3 small privets in their yard and they ate every leaf they could reach. Oh, well, they're still alive.

Interesting as well. I notice a few Privet leaves nibbled but that's about it. I used to worry about the little Privet berries but if they eat them, I don't seem to notice. The chickens have acted as a control of the scourge, English Ivy, as their poop keeps it in check. My Bantam OEG roosts in the Ligustrom bush. I think a little poisonous leaves are probably OK for them.

Sometimes, very large mushrooms will sprout up overnight, (another source of concern); however, I have noticed that the chickens will NOT touch them. They won't eat the Pokeweed neither and I pull it up anyway. Also, we have this large grasshopper in the summer here & very numerous (I've not seen it anywhere but here so I am thinking it is a foreign invader, but it has been here for at least 45 years). It is black with red lines (so probably a warning that it is poisonous to eat). Nothing eats them, not the wild birds, not the chickens. I have seen one hopping and a hen run for it thinking it was a regular (green or brown) grasshopper, which she would devour, and then stop suddenly and walk away when she saw it. They could only possibly see the grasshopper's bold color statement and have some natural instinct not to eat it.​