lindapupcat Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Hello everyone I'm new to posting on the board, although I'm a regular reader and I've had my 2 chooks for a year now in their . I really enjoy keeping the girls and have had no serious problems ( apart from a very very impacted crop a few weeks ago which the vet sorted out!). Anyway, the reason I'm posting for the first time today is I've got a question about my girls eating berries. Beside the is a beautiful cotoneaster tree and the berries are only now staring to get into the run as I've taken off a winter shelter. They haven't been a problem up until now as they don't drop berries until autumn and I kept the shelter over the eglu over the winter and even when the girls are free ranging, the berries aren't a problem as the girls can't get to the other side of the tree. Anyway, (I'm rambling), one of the girls, daisy, is devouring them the second I let her out into the run in the morning. I've been trying to read up about these berries and I THINK they're not toxic to chickens, but I think they are to humans. If these details are right, what about the safety of eating their eggs? Thanks in advance to any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Hi lindapupcat and welcome to the forum officially (can't believe you've held off posting for a whole year..... ). I have to say I don't know the answer. But I would imagine that, just like wild birds, the chickens would know what was bad for them. My lot don't nibble the daffodils but then do take little bites out of the rhoddedendron (terrible spelling) bushes and then leave them alone. Hope someone can give you a definative answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 There's a list somewhere of plants poisonous to chickens.... somewhere.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Found this, not sure if it is a definative list though viewtopic.php?f=42&t=22559&view=unread#unread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Mine have a cotoneaster at the edge of their area. They ignore it. Welcome to the forum. A whole year! What kept you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindapupcat Posted April 16, 2009 Author Share Posted April 16, 2009 thanks for you replies . I've done a bit more reading on the internet and really am quite certain now that the berries are NOT toxic to the chickens, but I'm still concerned about eating daisy's eggs as the berries are toxic to humans. thanks again everyone. oh, and btw, I'll be posting more often now that I've "done it". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 and btw, I'll be posting more often now that I've "done it". Quite right too...... we expect to see a lot more of you now. There's lots of newbies out there who'd benefit from your years worth of chicken keeping experience....... see you on here soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 Hello welcome old timer only had mine since November. You've given me a whole lot more to worry about Haven't seen mine touching cotoneaster. I think every plant i have in the garden is harmful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted April 17, 2009 Share Posted April 17, 2009 I personally wouldn't worry about eating the eggs - just think what else they eat that would do us no good but gets processed by them before they lay! But that's just my personal view. My chickens have eaten rhubarb and ivy, both of which are meant to be toxic to them, and not had any problems..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
