wiltshiremum Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Hi guys I have always fancied growing some rhubarb, however I am just wondering whether I should what with my hens freeranging in the garden. I don't want to make them poorly, so is it better safe than sorry? Do any of you grow rhubarb in the same garden as your freerangers? Thanks for you help, Becky x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 I would definitely recommend that you keep the rhubarb fenced off from the hens - not because it is allegedly poisonous, but because the little beggars will strip every leaf and stem if you leave them for a moment! It is supposed to be poisonous, I agree, but the hens seem to love it and have eaten mine to the ground. They have never shown any sign of ill-health. I moved it last year to the fenced-off portion of the garden where I try to grow vegetables, and for the first time since 2008 I hope to get a rhubarb crop. I would go ahead and plant it if you want, but try and keep them away from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiltshiremum Posted January 26, 2011 Author Share Posted January 26, 2011 Oh dear naughty hens! Most of my veggies are in raised beds out the front away from the hens. I wonder if rhubarb would be happy in a container out there? I have plans for all the beds (only got 5 sq m). Thanks for the advice x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 mine have a nibble of the leaves but don't do any real damage, preferring instead to dust bathe and rest under the rhubarbs shady leaves I think if you read through this forum you'll find that all the hens have wildly differing tastes so go ahead and try the rhubarb, if they attack it you can always move it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 I think your rhubarb would do better in the ground - they like a lot of moisture and are quite greedy feeders; it'd be a lot of faff in the summer. Once they are happy and established they will spread I wouldn't plant a rhubarb in a chook run as it is meant to be poisonous, but mine birds FR and nibble the leaves and live to tell the tale. Sometimes I do throw some netting over the plants, with sticks at the corners and bricks to weigh it down to minimise the damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 My girls stripped my rhubarb to the ground last year, they loved the leaves and it was the first thing they went to when they got out. It's getting fenced off this year as I need to restock rhubard & ginger jam. Sage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 I have tried to grow rhubarb but some how always manage to kill it all by myself . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
