SueSteve Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 I have just read on a posting from 2004 that Foxgloves are poisonous. My hens have eaten all the foxgloves in the garden, they loved the comfrey, and the courgette plants were gone in minutes. I don't have many plants, but wonder if they are ok with them, I have a couple of lavenders, I don't think they like them, I also have hollyhocks, penstemon, jasmine, honeysuckle, passion flower, sedum and a pink daisy osteo something. (I am just concerned that Bella has only laid one egg last Tues, and nothing since, is this normal?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted October 15, 2007 Share Posted October 15, 2007 Hmmmm Im not too sure about the rest of the plant mentioned but i do know that digitalis is contained in foxgloves and is poisonous however if the chooks have eaten it and come to no harm then i wouldnt worry too much. As for her not laying an egg since last week - are they young girls? If so egg laying can be a little random until they get into a routine also the weather has been very changeable and i find this has an impact on my girls laying too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 when the weather first started getting colder and the days shorter about 3 weeks ago our girls' laying went a bit erratic but after about 4-5 days they got back into the swing of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Em's right about the digitalis, but mine seem to avoid foxgloves, but then hens have never been known for their good sense If you're concerned and love your plants, then I'd recommend fencing them off Sue. It was the last straw when my darlings raided my lovely herb garden and stripped it bare - the patio and borders are now out of bounds, with one area left for them to dustbathe in. I let them on the borders in the winter when I've cut it all down - they turn it over, fertilise it and eat all the nasties, then I fence it off again so the plants can grow. It's a sort of uneasy harmony - they'd love to munch all my flowers and veggies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I use my hens to rake around in the recently harvested raised beds. My girls eat everything I'm afraid....... the worst that has happened so far is foul poo..... Helen in Hume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Did they definately eat the fox glove leaves or just shred it? I ask because mine shredded 2 fox glove plants before i had a chance to stop them. They are all fine. Babs took a bite and spat it out but continued to 'shred' I'm sure they will be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueSteve Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 Thanks for the replies, I am not sure if they shredded or ate, the leaves have gone, but the stalks are left!! Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
