Faye&Ant Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Does anyone know if real christmas trees are poisonous to chickens? OH has just planted a norwegian spruce in their run but I am now worrying it might not be so good for them and I have seen a couple of them pecking at it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forestchook Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 I don't know, but mine seem to like pecking at those in our garden when they free range and they are still running around. N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faye&Ant Posted November 15, 2011 Author Share Posted November 15, 2011 Thank you, thats helped put my mind at ease Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I dont think it would be poisonous to them, I would be worried about them eating the needles though or stepping on a sharp one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandwhite Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Mine had a peck at the one I had last Xmas and then put outside. They didn't seem to like it much but didn't do them any harm. Also not had any needle related incidents even though it has shed a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Mine have one in their run every year and has never been a problem, I even decorate it with seed stars popcorn tinsle and othe things taht I make for them Just water it a lot and the needles dont drop also I imagine the best thing to do is only have it in there for a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 My hens have been rootling around under pine trees for years without coming to any harm, and I would imagine that spruce are similar. There are dead needles all over the place, and they love digging around in them! It never occurred to me that they might be a threat to the hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Mine have one in their run every year and has never been a problem, I even decorate it with seed stars popcorn tinsle and othe things taht I make for them Now there's someone giving their hens very Happy Christmases! Sounds fab! Got any photos? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faye&Ant Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 Thanks for the tip about the needles dropping, it didn't occur to me that I would need to be concerned about that However if some you have not experienced any problems I might see how it goes... We just like making their run fun for them and they already love the veggies we hang for them to peck at during the day. They spend less time free ranging in the winter because they have gone to bed by the time we get home in the week Also love the decorating idea Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not enough chickens Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 i did some research on christmas trees as i wanted a real one in my house but was afraid my parrot mite chew it, everywhere i read said that the tree themselfs are not poisonous its only when they are sprayed with pestacides that they can become toxic, so you should be alright, cant imagine you would spray it, n chickens are more hardy then parrots ive voted not to risk it as chances are one big enough t decorate has been sprayed its whole life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
