mouse Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 Hi, Ive not got my chooks yet but the area I want to use has lots of ground elder. I know that people can eat it, but I wasnt sure if chickens would be ok to chow down on it and help me clear the area? Once its cleared Ill be sowing the chicken grass and letting it rest over the winter so its nice an strong. Also are nettels and blackberry bushes ok for them? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoeBunny Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 OOoo I could do with knowing this too as we've had a really bad infestation of ground elder this year and it's EVERYWHERE in my garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 It doesn't seem to be on the list of plants poisonous to chickens in the FAQ section. Click I find that they will leave certain plants alone, so they instinctively know what is or isn't good for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 If my hens ate ground elder, nettles and blackberry bushes I'd be so happy ... sadly they prefer tomato plants, lettuces and chives Seriously, I agree with Egluntyne on this - they tend to know what they can and can't eat. If they're confined in the run and it's the only thing they have access to then perhaps they might eat more of the 'wrong' stuff, but I have yet to hear of anyone's hens being poisoned by garden plants. Even rhubarb didn't do mine any harm, although it's supposed to be bad for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 wot egluntyne and olly said. sadly tho, I've found mine to be useless with nettles - there is a clump doing very well inside our fencing, and they won't go near it. I think I will strim them down and then see if they will get in there and do some digging. (dont worry, plenty of other nettles elsewhere for the butterflies to lay their eggs on!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mouse Posted June 22, 2011 Author Share Posted June 22, 2011 Ok thank you for the advise, I can imagin the blackberry fruit would be a tasty treat for them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
