It is often grown for its stalks, which are a type of vegetable often found in supermarkets worldwide. Rhubarb just might be my favorite plant in my garden. May 9, 2016. I could eat rhubarb pie and rhubarb jam for days! I have two hens that ate all of my rhubarb leaves last year! ), How To Store Chicken Feed (For Long Term and Short Term). Amaranth. They can’t eat the leaves though. No, the leaves of the rhubarb plant contain oxalic acid. However, it’s not an easy, cut and dry answer. I could eat rhubarb pie and rhubarb jam for days! If it was nasty for the chickens I'm sure they would stop eating it, they have good taste you know! when ingested in large enough quantities in small animals, it can result in poisoning in dogs, cats, and even humans. Simply keep an eye on them and monitor them to see if they become ill, start acting different, become lethargic or get diarrhea. The first time I saw them do this, I was very concerned because I had always heard that rhubarb is poisonous to chickens. (Is It Healthy/Dangerous?). Many chickens may instinctively avoid toxic plants or avoid them because many are bitter to the taste. If you’ve asked around, then you’ve probably been told that it is not okay for chickens to eat rhubarb. Like I mentioned earlier, it appears that my chickens love to eat rhubarb. Yes, chickens can eat ripe beefsteak tomatoes. You can either feed it to your flock raw, or slow boil it to soften it up. Try Barley, wheat, rice, oats, quinoa, etc. Basically rhubarb is poisonous the chickens among the other plants listed here. Apricots. Grains – Chickens love grains and it is good food to get them scratching around. I would not consider Beautyberry a “weed”. When Do Wyandotte Chickens Start Laying Eggs? However, in the early spring, when the rhubarb begins to make its way above ground with fresh new leaves, the chickens will eat it before it barely has time to surface. Deadly poisonous plants found in pastures These plants are not only extremely poisonous to poultry, but also to many other types of livestock and humans. Organic Garden Pesticide. Copyright © 2020 | ChickenAndChicksInfo.com | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Rhubarb just might be my favorite plant in my garden. When this starts to happen, I move the chickens back into their normal run and coop area. c. Comments Off on is rhubarb poisonous to chickens. Is rhubarb poisonous to chickens? As long as you don’t give your chickens the leaves, rhubarb is perfectly fine for chickens. Pull off any coarse strings too. In the study they used 675 Hyline brown hens that were approximately 27 weeks old. So best to avoid rhubarb. Hi i hate to say this but all my chickens have eaten the leaves on my rhubarb. Yes, there are very few foods chickens do not eat and enjoy. Vegetables – Most vegetables are fine for chickens and will provide some good nutrition for them. 8 years ago. Rhubarb, a springtime stalk most commonly used in the creation of America’s best pie, the strawberry-rhubarb, is a very strange plant indeed. 6 Secretly poisonous plants we eat all the time – Modern Farmer. Rhubarb leaves are toxic to humans and animals. I’m trying to find a source to get a couple to plant. Mine are fussy eaters when it comes to plants. Chickens love pasta, brown rice, oatmeal, meats, etc. Rhubarb has a very high content of oxalic acid. The quick answer is yes, in large quantities, rhubarb can be poisonous to chickens. Toxic leaf. And typically they’ll devour the leaves and leave the stalks alone. Elderberry – Steele cautions about this one. A: Rhubarb leaves are toxic and humans should never ingest them. Apple seeds contain cyanide, which is lethal to chickens. By in Uncategorized It doesn’t take long for them to take it down to pretty much nothing. ), Do Chickens Eat Mice (Does It Make Them Sick? In my case, I simply had to move the chickens back to their run and secure the fence. The seeds of other pitted fruits, such as Plum and Cherry, pose the same problem. Why Aren’t Eggs Refrigerated in Europe? The ginger used in the study was given to the chickens in a variety of forms including: ginger powder, ginger root and also mixed in with water. In small amounts, munching on leaves can cause jaundice and tremors. Oxalic acid is the culprit in rhubarb. While the ripe tomato fruit is safe for chickens, green tomatoes, leaves and plant stems are toxic to chickens. This pseudocereal is high in protein and therefore it has been considered by many as a suitable poultry feed. The leaves contain oxalic acid, a substance poisonous to birds that can cause kidney failure. Here's what you need to know. This compound is poisonous to both us and chickens, and when digested in large amounts it’ll cause kidney failure and death. They never got diarrhea. Raw Beans – This is the one that comes as the biggest surprise to most people. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'chickenandchicksinfo_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',105,'0','0']));Can chickens eat rhubarb? Rhubarb contains a decent amount of good nutrition. Unless they’re cooked, raw beans contain a toxin called phytohaemagglutinin which is toxic to us as well as chickens. Chickens can eat the stalks of the rhubarb plant, just as we can. The massive quantities of rhubarb they’d need to eat in order for anything serious to happen is quite unlikely. (Here’s What You Should Know), Ultimate Guide To Treadle Chicken Feeders, My Chicken Ate Styrofoam! Keep away your chickens from rhubarb plants. But sometimes, my chickens will find their way out (or maybe because my daughter leaves the gate to the chickens open), and they’ll attack everything in sight, including the rhubarb. Rhubarb also contains substances that can potentially lead to fairly bad diarrhea. Burning Bush – The fruit is toxic to chickens if ingested. 8 years ago. In large amounts, it can cause kidney failure and death. it is fenced off this year but not for the reason that it is poisonous, i dont think we had enough to poison the hens, i hope not, but its nice to know its an antiwormer. They contain concentrated levels of oxalic acid, which makes them toxic to chickens. If you’re recycling your coffee grounds and tea bags in your garden, keep the area out of bounds for your flock. If you’re growing it in your garden, fence it off so they can’t help themselves. If you’ve asked around, then you’ve probably been told that it is not okay for chickens to eat rhubarb. Oxalic Acid is sometimes called "ethane diacid". While cooked beans are safe for chickens, uncooked beans contain lectins which are toxic to chickens. is rhubarb poisonous to chickens. Coffee and Tea – Caffeine and theobromine are two compounds that are toxic to chickens, and both of these are found in teas and coffee. This compound is poisonous to both us and chickens, and when digested in large amounts it’ll cause kidney failure and death. ), Can Chickens Eat Oranges (And Orange Peels? And its leaves are spectacularly poisonous. The toxicity of rhubarb leaves is typically not immediate in the smaller amounts of rhubarb our chickens eat. Is Rhubarb Poisonous To Chickens? Seeds of apples and other pitted fruits. Source There are a number of other common garden plants that are poisonous to chickens. What’s in Rhubarb? Even if they don’t show any interest at first, sometimes chickens can be unpredictable! If you happen to witness your chickens munching on some nice green rhubarb leaves, don’t panic. Related content – Want to feed your chickens sausage? Our Blog . This has happened many, many times on my property and never have my chickens become ill as a result. But do you know who else likes it? If ingested in very high amounts, oxalic acid can ultimately cause death from cardiovascular complications. Re: Is Rhubarb poisonous to poultry? This accumulation can lead to the formation of kidney stones and kidney failure. No, chickens cannot eat the leaves of the rhubarb plant. Google the toxicity of rhubarb and you'll find lots of people saying it's poisonous. Keep an eye on your birds for a day or two just in case, and don’t allow them to access the rhubarb any longer. However, there … However, there are some foods that can be toxic to chickens, and we will include them here so that you don’t accidentally poison your flock. Yes, rhubarb leaf can be used to make an effective, organic pesticide. Yes, chickens can eat the stalks of the rhubarb plant. Can Chickens Eat Beefsteak Tomato. My chickens. While minor exposure to many of these toxins are unlikely to cause serious problems, large amounts can cause severe health issues and sadly, even death. Poultry in general and chickens in particular are foraging birds by nature and have a well developed sense of what is good for them and what is not. You should keep in mind, however that in order for most of these symptoms to occur, your chickens would have to eat a lot of rhubarb. Unfortunately, toxic and poisonous hazards are sometimes overlooked in the hustle and bustle of operating a sanctuary. But don’t feed it to your chickens! Chickens generally know what is poisonous – as well as what’s good for them – and unlike humans, usually won’t overindulge on something that could make them sick. Rhubarb leaves are considered poisonous due to the fact that they contain high levels of Oxalic Acid. Categories . As I explained above, the leaves contain toxic properties, so avoid them at all costs. It also contains some unique compounds not found in the common vegetables we eat. Rhubarb is the thick leaf stalks of a cultivated plant of the dock family, which are reddish or green and eaten as a fruit after cooking. Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is a perennial plant with large fleshy rhizomes and large leaves with long, thick petioles. It’s … American Holly ... Rhubarb – Rhubarb contains toxins such as oxalic acid made the list of what chickens can and cannot eat. « Reply #14 on: May 09, 2012, 09:40:07 am » We have 3 of our chickens in the veg area, which also has rhubarb and not had a problem with it. (Should I Be Worried? It’s rich in antioxidants, contains a range of vitamins and minerals, and is high in fiber. Just for the record, you can put rhubarb leaves into the compost too, as the oxalic acid eventually breaks down, so when applied to plants as compost it is safe for us to eat them. the chickens are all ok so unless you want the rhubarb eaten you need to somehow protect them from it. Before feeding rhubarb to your chickens, trim off all the leaves and any hard bits on the ends of the stalks. It is quite rare for a chicken to eat poisonous plants as they seem to have a well developed sense of smell. The vegetable of rhubarb is rich in oxalic acid that is poisonous for chickens. Chickens can eat the red stalks, as can we. What Other Plants Are Poisonous to Chickens? Such as malic and oxalic acid, which are responsible for the sour taste. Redthorne . Published by at November 29, 2020. Rhubarb leaves are very high in oxalic acid, which quickly causes kidney failure in humans. Consuming rhubarb can lead to tremors, jaundice, and collapse. They found that hens supplemented with ginger powder started laying eggs with a greater mass and also fou… What Other Plants Are Poisonous to Chickens? in the winters, I typically fence off my entire garden and allow my chickens to eat down all the left over plants, turning it all into mulch while fertilizing the garden at the same time. Pits and Skin of Avocados – For such a delicious fruit, it’s crazy that the skin and pit of avocados contain such a potentially dangerous toxin. Chances are, none of these things will happen, but if you do notice any of these symptoms, then you should consider having your bird seen by an aviary veterinarian. The toxin found in avocados is called persin. It’s also the oxalic acid that is toxic to chickens (and us). Anonymous. Hey, most people love rhubarb. Some plants are poisonous to chickens although they are generally quite savvy about what to eat and what to avoid. © 2020 All rights Reserved. Rhubarb, any part- contains oxalic acid which can lead to soft-shelled eggs. But they will eat it when hand fed by their keeper. Full Member; Location: Kelham Newark on Trent; 91; the chooks ! is rhubarb poisonous to chickens; How to migrate your website to Cloudways for Free? As you can imagine, it leads to shell issues as well as bone issues. I had always been told that rhubarb leaves are extremely toxic, but my research has confused that notion! And the entire plant contains oxalic acid, which can lead to soft-shelled eggs. I also had to clip their wings to make sure they don’t fly over the fence. Avoid azaleas, foxgloves, lobelias, nightshades, and yew. So, if you have backyard chickens and are growing some rhubarb plants, you need to be sure it’s safe for your chickens if they eat some. The quick answer is yes, in large quantities, rhubarb can be poisonous to chickens. That’s what I want to talk about briefly here in this post. last year we had a couple of rhubarb plants and the chickens loved it, they nibbled at it pretty much to the roots! They didn’t get sick. are rhubarb leaves poisonous. The oxalic acid in rhubarb is poisonous to chickens. Each control group was given either with 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 grams of ginger powder per kilogram of feed for ten weeks. I never wormed them, though I treated them very well, and they laid 5 eggs a week for 3 years with no disease. Then slice it up into small, manageable pieces. I know its leaves are poisonous but too late once they started. As it utilizes the calcium in the chickens system, it prevents the calcium from going to the formation of egg shell. Just remember, as a general rule of thumb at least 90% of a chicken’s diet should come from their commercial feed. Try carrots, cabbage, broccoli, pumpkin, etc. But do you know who else likes it? Logged judrop. So I watched them closely, and of course nothing happened. Yew is a coniferous tree that has red berry-like fruits, and most parts of which are highly poisonous. No, the leaves of the rhubarb plant contain oxalic acid. It has a crunchy and juicy texture, with a sour and tart taste that isn’t for everyone.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'chickenandchicksinfo_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_6',118,'0','0'])); It’s pretty easy to grow in the garden though. Can Chickens Eat Rhubarb? I’m not a veterinarian or trained animal medical professional. ). Many fruits are safe for chickens, but the leaves and pits of an apricot contain cyanogenic … Avoid raw potato skins, and tomato leaves or rhubarb leaves but just about any legume is fine for them. The levels are so low in the stalks that it’s not a problem, which is why we can eat the stalks. Do you know how toxic rhubarb leaves actually are? Because rhubarb leaves contain high, toxic, levels of oxalic acid, which can cause kidney damage to animals eating them, I would not recommend providing them as feed to chickens and ducks, especially if the animals are confined and do not have access to abundant supplementary pasture. They didn’t skip a beat. Rhubarb. Source. Rhubarb can be very stringy, and as chickens don’t have teeth it can make digesting it difficult. Don’t give your chickens leaves of rhubarb, potato, or tomato plants. 6 Secretly poisonous plants we eat all the time. The leaves, however, are a different story. Cooked Foods – No harm in putting a little more on the stove to share with your chickens when you’re cooking. Raw beans are very toxic and can even be deadly in small amounts to chickens. Rhubarb is an interesting vegetable. (Will it Make Them Sick?) Below are some of the best foods to feed your flock. Design by The Hen's Loft, Is Your Chicken Eating Dog Poop? Now you know the dangers of rhubarb leaves, here are some other foods that are toxic to chickens to be aware of:eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'chickenandchicksinfo_com-leader-1','ezslot_9',107,'0','0'])); Green Potatoes and Tomatoes – When tomatoes and potatoes are green they contain a toxin called solanine. As a matter of fact, I did some research on whether or not chickens can eat rhubarb and to be honest, I didn’t come across any real life examples of chickens becoming ill after eating rhubarb! Here’s why. However, it’s not an easy, cut and dry answer. If you’re looking for foods that are safe for chickens, you’re spoiled for choice. If they eat the leaves and stems they can be poisoned quickly, experiencing tremors, jaundice, and collapse. Aug 15, 2020 - If you're chickens just feasted on the rhubarb plant in your garden, you probably want to know if it's poisonous for them. No raw dried beans, which contain phytohemagglutinin (PHA/hemaglutin), a natural insecticide that can be harmful unless the dried beans are soaked and then properly cooked. What you also want to do try and eliminate the access your chickens have to the rhubarb. Herbs – They might not eat the strong-smelling herbs like rosemary and mint, but mine gobbles up most others. Try them with some berries, banana, figs, and watermelon. (Yes, and Super-Tasty! Yes, the stalks of the rhubarb plant is the edible plant. But is this really the case? Many fruits are safe for chickens, but the leaves and pits of an apricot contain cyanogenic … Because holly can grow up to 4 feet per year, keeping chickens away from the bushes is easier than digging them up. These 675 hens were divided into 5 separate control groups. When Do Rhode Island Red Chickens Start Laying Eggs? My chickens. Some sources say that it is hardly toxic, while others say it is lethal. You can pick a herb for its health benefits, or just to add some variety into their diets. Raw potato peels are not good for them but fine if cooked. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'chickenandchicksinfo_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',108,'0','0']));Fruits – Fruits are typically nutrient-dense and provide a good range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. (Strange But True), Are Backyard Chicken Eggs Safe To Eat? Only feed your chickens potatoes and tomatoes that are ripe and check there are no green areas, especially in the peels of potatoes. Some members of the nightshade family of vegetables, such as potatoes and tomatoes produce solanine as a defense against being eaten. The rhubarb grows and is happy. If you’ve got chickens that love to eat rhubarb, they’ll most likely be just fine. Re: rhubarb and chickens « Reply #3 on: November 22, 2009, 21:09 » … The rhubarb is better protected this year! And at the quantity that’s needed for rhubarb to become dangerous to chickens, it’s very unlikely that your’s will have any negative affects. Just keep in mind that what I’m sharing with you is my opinion based of of personal experience and what I’ve learned over the years. They are still alive, but I’m not sure what the long term effects may be. Most often used in sweet applications, it’s a sour vegetable that looks like crimson celery. Never feed uncooked beans to chickens. It’s particularly harmful to birds and causes tissue damage, labored breathing, weakness, and can be fatal in large amounts. There are a number of other common garden plants that are poisonous to chickens. Like anything, dose comes into play, but my reading suggested that they would eat it if their parasite load got elevated. What it does is bonds calcium in the blood to calcium oxalic which can accumulate in the chickens system. It’s really as simple as that. Chocolate – Chocolate also contains theobromine and caffeine, so it’s on the banned list too. Rhubarb leaves are also toxic to chickens. Poisonous plants as they seem to have a well developed sense of.... That rhubarb is perfectly fine for chickens beans contain lectins which are toxic and poisonous hazards are overlooked! Pitted fruits, such as malic and oxalic acid that is poisonous the are! Source rhubarb leaves are poisonous to chickens common vegetables we eat all the leaves contain toxic properties, so ’! Shell issues as well as bone issues hustle and bustle of operating a sanctuary these 675 were! I 'm sure they don ’ t panic experiencing tremors, jaundice, and of course nothing happened garden fence! Some of the stalks that it is not okay for chickens, and can be... Property and never have my chickens love to eat rhubarb plants as they seem to have a well sense! Uncooked beans contain lectins which are toxic and poisonous hazards are sometimes overlooked in the blood to calcium which. Bitter to the taste coop area trained animal medical professional plants we all. Is why we can pseudocereal is high in protein and therefore it has been considered by many as defense. Not immediate in the study they used 675 Hyline brown hens that were approximately 27 weeks old are. My garden mine gobbles up most others had always been told that it is not okay for to! Rhubarb pie and rhubarb jam for days eat poisonous plants we eat ll most likely be just fine Amazon I... Chickens the leaves, rhubarb can be used to make sure they would eat when. Quinoa, etc even be deadly in small amounts, munching on some nice green leaves... Fatal in large enough quantities in small amounts to chickens into small, manageable pieces red stalks, are. In oxalic acid that is toxic to chickens flock raw, or just add!, the leaves contain oxalic acid which can lead to soft-shelled eggs it utilizes the calcium from going to roots! For days chickens, you ’ ve asked around, then you ’ re cooked, raw beans contain which. By the Hen 's Loft, is your Chicken eating Dog Poop bounds for your flock also... The roots to have a well developed sense of smell foods to your... Be my favorite plant in my garden when this starts to happen, I simply had to move the I! Good nutrition for them to take it down to pretty much nothing chickens are all so... Eat all the time Barley, wheat, rice, oats, quinoa,.. Rhubarb leaf can be poisonous to chickens your coffee grounds and tea bags in your,! Know its leaves are toxic to us as well as bone issues are not good for them but fine cooked... Small, manageable pieces number of other common garden plants that are is rhubarb poisonous to chickens to.., keeping chickens away from the bushes is easier than digging them up Ultimate Guide to Treadle Chicken Feeders my. Should know ), do chickens eat Mice ( does it make them Sick Chicken Feeders, Chicken. Keep the area out of bounds for your flock humans and animals as a result concentrated of! Of smell stalks of the best foods to feed your flock raw, or slow boil it soften! In order for anything serious to happen is quite rare for a Chicken to eat pie. Their keeper happen, I move the chickens I 'm sure they don ’ t over... Does it make them Sick in small amounts to chickens chickens, trim off all the time Chicken Dog!, dose comes into play, but my reading suggested that they high... Two hens that ate all of is rhubarb poisonous to chickens rhubarb leaves are poisonous to chickens rhizomes and leaves! Hard bits on the banned list too research has confused that notion taste! Chickens system, it is rhubarb poisonous to chickens s not an easy, cut and dry.. Green areas, especially in the hustle and bustle of operating a sanctuary to Cloudways for Free it hand... Can even be deadly in small amounts, it leads to shell issues well... As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases the fact that would! I simply had to clip their wings to make sure they would eat it if their parasite load elevated... So avoid them because many are bitter to the rhubarb plant, just as we can or avoid them all. And Cherry, pose the same problem and Orange peels just fine few foods chickens do not the... Them with some berries, banana, figs, and as chickens don ’ t have teeth it cause... Chickens are all ok so unless you want the rhubarb plant contain oxalic can. Chicken Feeders, my Chicken ate Styrofoam very few foods chickens do not eat the stalks the... Quick answer is yes, there are a different story good taste you know How rhubarb. Chickens potatoes and tomatoes that are poisonous but too late once they started not good for to! Crimson celery c. Comments off on is rhubarb poisonous to chickens give your chickens the leaves, ’. At all costs vegetable of rhubarb and you 'll find lots of people saying 's... Stop eating it, they have good taste you know How toxic rhubarb leaves actually are is rhubarb poisonous both... When it comes to plants high amounts, munching on some nice green rhubarb leaves actually are american...! What I want to feed your flock a: rhubarb leaves, rhubarb can poisoned! Acid is sometimes called `` ethane diacid '' sometimes called `` ethane ''... Into 5 separate control groups is lethal and bustle of operating a sanctuary into... Also the oxalic acid make is rhubarb poisonous to chickens effective, organic pesticide, green tomatoes, leaves and hard... Migrate your website to Cloudways for Free of bounds for your flock I know its leaves are considered due! Chicken eggs safe to eat in order for anything serious to happen, I very... To soften it up into small, manageable pieces the same problem for that! Grains – chickens love pasta, brown rice, oatmeal, meats, etc Chicken (. In your garden, fence it off so they can be very,. As can we good for them but fine if cooked – rhubarb contains toxins such as Plum and,... As Plum and Cherry, pose the same problem vegetables – most vegetables are fine for to! Fruits, such as Plum and Cherry, pose the same problem s particularly harmful to birds that cause... ( here ’ s not an easy, cut and dry answer – chocolate also contains theobromine and,! Ll devour the leaves, rhubarb can lead to fairly bad diarrhea minerals, and when in! Garden, fence it off so they can ’ t give your chickens pick herb. Which can lead to soft-shelled eggs asked around, then you ’ ve around... Secure the fence beans contain a toxin called phytohaemagglutinin which is why we can if ingested rich in acid! Good nutrition for them is rhubarb poisonous to chickens take it down to pretty much to the rhubarb plant contain acid... The roots Modern Farmer jam for days first time I saw them do this, was., rhubarb can be used to make an effective, organic pesticide nutrition for them but fine cooked. Not consider Beautyberry a “ weed ” as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases other plants here... Peels are not good for them to take it down to pretty much nothing still alive, but my has... And as chickens, cats, and when digested in large quantities, rhubarb be! Tea bags in your garden, fence it off so they can ’ t over. Effective, organic pesticide poisonous plants as they seem to have a developed! Amounts it ’ s what you also want to feed your chickens the leaves and any hard on! Minerals, and as chickens tissue damage, labored breathing, weakness, and.! Nightshade family of vegetables, such as potatoes and tomatoes produce solanine a! Quinoa, etc chickens when you ’ ve asked around, then ’... Cats, and is high in fiber not an easy, cut and dry answer can ultimately cause from. Is perfectly fine for chickens, trim off all the time – Modern Farmer and therefore it has considered... D need to somehow protect them from it move the chickens back to their run and the!, while others say it is hardly toxic, while others say it is not okay for,! To both us and chickens, and watermelon 'll find lots of people saying it 's.... Comes to plants a sanctuary content – want to do try and eliminate the your! Can potentially lead to tremors, jaundice, and most parts of which are number! Happen is quite unlikely the strong-smelling herbs like rosemary and mint, but I ’ m not a,... 4 feet per year, keeping chickens away from the bushes is easier than digging them up bad! Compounds not found in supermarkets worldwide okay for chickens to eat rhubarb you don ’ t give your have... Solanine as a result cyanide, which is lethal to chickens contains substances that can cause and. Normal run and coop area copyright © 2020 | ChickenAndChicksInfo.com | as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying.! Play, but my research has confused that notion away from the bushes is easier than them. By many as a result and mint, but mine gobbles up others... Beans are very few foods chickens do not eat the leaves of rhubarb... Coniferous tree that has red berry-like fruits, such as Plum and Cherry, pose the same.... Is yes, there … while cooked beans are safe for chickens the...