Tara123 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I've moved my chicken house and run to an area of the garden that has small pieces of purple slate and gravel on the floor. They seem OK on it and are scratching around kicking the slate about there run and eating small bits of the gravel. (both slate and gravel have been weathered for well over a year now, in the garden). I am going to put wood chip on top of the area but for now do you think it sounds OK for them? Also when they have settled in and the weather warms up a bit I am going to let them free range. Just wondered is there any kind of plants that are poisonous for chooks and if so what are they please? Many thanks Tara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Hi Tara I'm no expert, but I think they'll be OK on the gravel for a little while until you can get some bark down. Re the poisonous plants, IIRC you're not supposed to give them avocados (because they're poisonous to other birds like parrots and it's best to play safe), but I'm not sure about garden plants - if you do a search on the forum for "poisonous" you should find some useful threads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 That sounds OK to me. They would pick up tiny stones etc in the garden anyway. Have you considered hemcore rather than wood chips? It's very absorbant, makes poos disappear and my girls love scratching and digging about in it . Re poisonous plants, I believe that chickens are quite clever about not eating plants that are poisonous to them. (Hopefully someone can confirm that .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waders Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Hi Tara123 When my girls arrived I asked Justin (very nice man) if there was anything in my garden that I should get rid of. He said (just like Ain't "Ooops, word censored!"ody Here said) that chooks were pretty clever when it came to eating plants. He did say that a big No No was rhubarb but that they usually stayed away from them when they were in leaf. Well, I've watched my girls when they have been out and about and they are not interested at all in the new shoots that have started to grow. so I guess that they are clever girls Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara123 Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 Were can I buy Hemcore from? I've Googled it but I can't find a supplier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pommedays Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Hi Tara, You can get Hemcore from your local Equestrian supplier.. should be quite a few on yell.co.uk in your area.. Celine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yannovitch Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 hello there, there is a Hemcore website, with a link to find suppliers in your region... it comes up whn i google it... about poisonous plants: i thought potatoes leaves were poisonous and they ate some... as far as i know your chooks will know what to eat and what not to eat... but be sure: what they can eat, they will eat!!! yep, they stripped my mint, citronella, they like some sage or rosemary every now and again, forget about fruit bushes, and some more... but the eggs are just fantastic!! Bye! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Just in case you didn't find it: * Hemcore Distributors * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 You can also try Aubiose,which is the same as Hemcore,but may be more readily available. I can't get Hemcore in my area, but I do know an Aubiose supplier. Actually,you are just down the way aren't you - pm on its way to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 My lot loved rhubarb leaves - ate loads of them and never came to any harm. We got rid of the plant in the end as it looked so pathetic! I wouldn't worry about garden plants - they seem to know what they can eat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...