SAB Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 I don't see them on the poisonous plant list, but can anyone reassure me that dandelions are safe for chickens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Yes they are safe! Good job too, chickens are very effective dandelion disposal systems. I dig them up, root and all and feed them to the chooks. They eat every last bit! Infact I feed them any weed sedlings I find - a bit like tender sprouted seeds for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Oh I have been doing the same - digging them up and boy do they get shredded - they love the leaves but they dont eat the flowers though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Mine don't like them. Well not at the moment anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 I must try them on my girls. I'm swamped with dandelions at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 Mine demolish dandelions in a trice. I've always got a good supply! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 Mine love them - the flowers as well, and they taste even better if they are poked though the mesh of the run instead of being placed on the ground inside we have a scrum of rugby proportions when I do it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted May 11, 2008 Author Share Posted May 11, 2008 Thank you all - this is fantastic news for me as my garden is dandelion heaven! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 Just a word of warning - I am convinced that the dandelions that I had been feeding to my hen are what gave her sour crop, and she had to be put down last week as a result. The problem seemed to be that she pretty much swallowed the leaves whole - the other two pecked at them, which was fine. I think the suggestion above of digging them up whole is a good one, as it meas the chickens have to pick at them, not just get the leaves down in one go! This should prevent problems with sour or impacted crop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted May 11, 2008 Author Share Posted May 11, 2008 Sorry to hear about your hen Liam. Thanks for the warning - better safe than sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grasshopper30 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Dandelions are often the target of very strong weed killers, these type of chemicals are persistant and can remain in the enviroment for some time. Even if weed killers haven't been used for a while I guess they could still present a danger. I'd make sure that you know whats been used on your land and how long a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted May 12, 2008 Author Share Posted May 12, 2008 Very good advice - thanks Grasshopper30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grasshopper30 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 No worries, We are moving to Wales soon and the garden of the house we are renting has a garden full of dandelions and it wasn't until I saw your post that I had tought about it much! Being a rented place I can't be sure what weed killers have been used, although by the looks of it none! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAB Posted May 12, 2008 Author Share Posted May 12, 2008 Do you have any idea how long the garden would need to be weedkiller-free? I know I can vouch for mine for the past 5 years we have been here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grasshopper30 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 I wouldn't know, it would depend on the chemical and enviroment. 5 years sounds like it would be enough. If you can find out whats in these weed killers and do some online research. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
