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Garden plants that are toxic to chickens

 Common garden plants that are toxic to chickens



Raising chickens is fun, easy, and a great way to get fresh organic eggs from your backyard. It does not come without some challenges, and protecting your new pets from harm is one of the biggest. Chickens are omnipotent and very curious by nature, which can be a problem if you move your flock freely. There are plenty of plants that are toxic to chickens, some of which are very popular and will already grow on your property.


As a rule of thumb, if your chickens come within the free-range, it is best not to plant these plants on your property. However, you can easily protect the birds and plants by fencing your garden. You may want to do this anyway because chickens are known for digging carefully designed gardens and eating what they like.


1. Foxglove


Foxgloves, while incredibly beautiful, are not only good for chickens or other pets but are also poisonous to people. Foxglove contains digitalis, a chemical that affects the heart, causing low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and shock.


2. Daffodil 


I think it is safe to say that daffodils are one of the most commonly grown perennial flowers, and some people grow them like weeds on their property. If you have daffodils and you have independent chickens you need not worry.



Most chickens are not interested in eating this plant. If you are worried that your chickens will taste the daffodils, try to keep them free when the daffodils are only one of the green plants in early spring. In late spring, it is safer to remove them because there are still many options for fodder.


3. Azaleas


This beautiful plant is very punch-packed. Azaleas are considered poisonous if ingested. Azalea contains toxins called cyanotoxins, which can cause gastrointestinal problems, weakness, heart problems, and tremors.


If your chicken has saliva dripping, diarrhea, lethargy, or seizures, it may have eaten this poisonous plant. Cattle, such as chickens, usually do not fully recover from this type of poisoning unless treated immediately by a veterinarian.


4. Rhododendron



Rhododendron poisoning of animals, including chickens. This is the most common shrub in your yard. We kept it in our yard with our independent chickens for many years and they were not interested in eating it. I have heard the same thing from many poultry farmers. So, in my book, this is not a big concern, but if you are worried, you can always remove the plant or fence.


5. Lily of the Valley


Lily of the valley is poisonous not only to chickens but also to pets and people. Although this plant is adorable and smells beautiful, if you have chickens, it is not recommended for your landscape.


This plant contains cardiac glycosides, which affect heart rate. This plant is very poisonous and can harm even adults if ingested. Eating two leaves will prove deadly. This is definitely something to stay away from!


6. Beans


Cooked beans are great for eating chicken, however, there are no raw uncooked beans or dried beans. Uncooked beans contain a toxin called hemagglutinin, which can make your chickens sick. If you grow beans in your vegetable garden, it is a good idea to keep them fenced off so that your chickens do not want to eat them.


7. Ferns


I personally have tons of wild and cultivated ferns growing on our property, and I foretell this by saying that our free-range chickens will not touch them. We never had a problem and there was no need to fence them.



Broken fern in particular can cause poisoning if eaten in significant quantities in chickens. Poisoned chickens can lose weight, suffer from anemia, and cause tremors. If you have this type of fern on your land, it is a good idea to remove it or keep your chickens away from it.


8. Rhubarb


Rhubarb leaves are high in oxalic acid and are toxic to chickens and many other animals. Many gardeners grow this perennial plant for its sour stem, which is often used in baked goods. In our experience chickens avoid eating rhubarb, but they prefer to dig around and scratch it, which can harm the delicate leaves. If you have independent chickens It is better to keep the plant fenced.

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