SueChick Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 After reading the post on what plants chooks can have and what they can't have - I was shocked to see elderberry on it! My girls have always gobbled up stray leaves and berries in the garden when they FR but I thought chooks knew which plants were bad and naturally selected only the ones they are allowed? Bit worried now although they are fine and show no signs of illness. So do I need to check for leaves now in the garden? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 I wouldn't give it another thought. If they have survived so far ......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roselady Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 I thought the same thing (that they ignored poisonous plants). But I found one of mine enjoying a big foxglove leaf the other day - I was horrified and was very anxious but she was fine. Pulled it up though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Mine eat all sorts of things that they're not supposed to - including elderberries - and seem to be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Mine used to eat Laurel berries off the laurel trees at our old house. They too were fine. Here they eat nettles! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Mine eat yew berries; their different digestive system means that they can eat things which we can't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 I have fed my lot strawberrys and red currents which aren't good for them - and I only learnt my lesson when they did get some runny strawberry-coloured poos! Will definitely be limiting these to a special treat only from now on! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angeluk69 Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Are they not suppposed to have nettles??? mine eat them by the trug load Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Never heard of that before; nettles are very nutritious. Mine get nettles. I stamp on them first to remove the sting hairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angeluk69 Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 *just off to cut down some more nettles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Don't forget that their pellets need to make up 98% of their daily intake - any less and you'll get less eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Mine ate rhubarb leaves and survivied. I was worried sick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angeluk69 Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 I've restricted the treats like mealworms and corn so that they only have those at the weekends, they get some scratching seed every other day and I only give them the greens in the late evening every odd day if Ive got any. The kids kept wanting to give them extras all the time, but i had to say a very firm NO as it's me that cleans out the poop tray and that goes in the run the majority of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueChick Posted July 6, 2012 Author Share Posted July 6, 2012 Thanks so much everyone - was quite worried there especially as my old lady had a field-day on a branch I trimmed off a few weeks ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 I'm amazed that you already have ripe elderberries; I still have blossom on mine and no sign of berries forming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
