katieadams Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 I gave my girls some of the bigger leaves off the spring greens growing in our garden yesterday, some of which were teaming with caterpillars, which I thought they'd like. Then last night I read that cabbage white butterflies can be toxic to chickens - are the caterpillars too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 I thought most caterpillars were tasty for birds except for the hairy ones. Perhaps if the caterpillars are still fairly small and green. I have picked them off in the early stages and fed them to the wild birds - they were delighted. But if you let them get too big they will devour your greens, so best to remove as soon as you see the signs - or squash the eggs. I think your girls will be fine. If the butterflies are toxic, that explains why the blooming birds don't polish them off before they get to my greenstuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted June 2, 2009 Author Share Posted June 2, 2009 Phew! They were only a cm or two long and green - I thought it was a great idea to give them to the chickens until I read the article in Practical Poultry last night! They certainly enjoyed it that's for sure! Was strange, there were only caterpillars on a couple of leaves so easy enough to just choose those leaves for the chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
