SueChick Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Sorry about the urgent bit but I am very worried.... we have two Elderberry trees that over-hang our garden and are just about to drop their purple/black little berries. Is it going to hurt the chicks if they eat these from the lawn? I read on the post that elderberry plants are poisonous - are the berries too??? Don't know what to do if they are.... how do you stop the chicks from eating what they want to or stop the berries coming in to the garden... Please advise as soon as possible..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 I've not heard that they are poisonous to chooks - humans can eat them, in fact they're very nutritious. They might turn the chooks' poos red for a while, but best check online to see if they're poisonous to avians. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 From what I can find on the 'net the stems are poisonous to people so I'd assume that would be the bit dangerouse to chooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 It states quite clearly here that elderberry plants are poisonous to birds, but not the berries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Elderberries are common along forest roads throughout central Idaho. The leaves, stems, bark, and roots contain compounds that are strongly purgative and cyanide producing. Eating uncooked berries may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Children can get sick from using hollow elder stems for peashooters or whistles. Elderberry flowers and fruits are edible when cooked and are commonly used to make wine and jelly. Elderberry stems and roots were used medicinally as an emetic by American Indians. ive got some above my girls along with mile a minuet, they've been there for about 18 months plus and hasnt seemed to cause a problem... xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 I think hens know what they mustn't eat. If you are worried about the berries (I wouldn't be), why don't you make elderflower cordial? Wonderful stuff, easy to make, and once you have cut off all the flowers you won't get any berries! In any case, elderberries don't usually drop to the ground: they form seeds and shrivel up on the branches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 That's if the birds don't eat them first. As soon as ours are ripe the wildbirds appear and strip the tree. Never get any falling! (just lots of purple bird poo all over the car ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladylucan Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 YEp, we used to get that in our old house, except ours normally ended up on the washing, it was as though the birds were aiming especially for the line, and mainly the white washing!!!!, Till we chopped the tree down!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 We have literally thousands of berries every year down the lane. Last year I made elderberry jelly, fiddly to make (using a fork to strip the berries) but delish!!! I have orders to fulfil for this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueChick Posted August 15, 2007 Author Share Posted August 15, 2007 We have literally thousands of berries every year down the lane. Last year I made elderberry jelly, fiddly to make (using a fork to strip the berries) but delish!!! I have orders to fulfil for this year! Thanks for all of the above replies. The berries definitely do drop to the ground though. The kids look like the ribena gang if they walk on the lawn barefoot in late summer! I can't chop the tree down or cut off the berries because they are in the neighbours garden - they just drop into mine! I think I saw Nugget eat a berry today so I guess I'll know one way or the other! Thanks for all the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
