Unsecure chicken perches

[mollyripkim]

Hi everyone,

I am sure you will think I am mad as all the wild birds eat the red Rowan berries. My neighbours tree hangs over and my five silke girls have discovered the berries and one had red in her poo after eating them. Rowan berries are not listed on the poisonous list but does anyone have any advice? I have only had my girls since July and would hate anything to happen to them, they free range in the day but I suppose I could try and fence off the area under the tree. Do any of your chicks eat them with no I'll effect? Thankyou !

[Tara.F]

Hi, I doubt it poison for chooks as rowan berry jam is very good for people!

Also, I find that my girls know better than I what they can and can't eat....they instinctively stay away from bad stuff so relax, I'm sure they'll be just fine!

Tara xxx

[mollyripkim]

Hi, thank you so much, I sort of thought that but nice to get some reassurance! They had some sweetcorn on the cob tonight which they love. Best wishes. Kim xx

[Ain't Nobody Here]

My girls have a rowan in their free range area - I'd never given it a moment's thought . They're all still alive and kicking .

[Jools]

Same here ANH - they go mad for them when they first start falling!

[CallyChook]

Raw rowan /mountain are definitely poisonous to people but not so when cooked. They contain parasorbic acid when raw but cooking changes it to sorbic acid (found in all sorts of stuff and tastes great!) Why this stuff isn't poisonous to birds I have no idea, but it isn't, so those silkies can enjoy them and not worry about a)cancer or b)renal failure - which is what happens to us people if we eat lots of raw berries!!

 

parasorbic acid is degraded to sorbic acid easily apparently, even freeing can reduce the quantities. Why I remember this stuff from uni I have no idea, when I can't remember to take baking out of the oven in time or what I had to supper last night...

[The Dogmother]

It's to do with their digestive systems Cally - that's why chooks and other birds can eat yew berries without any harm

[mollyripkim]

Thanks for all your great replies. Girls been earring them for several days now and all ok!

Best wishes Kim