[lynnsb]

Hi

I have started letting my hens out of their bit of the garden for a roam around the whole garden when I am out there and they have gone mad for the rhubarb leaves. I thought rhubarb leaves were poisonous-am I wrong I thought the chickens have a sense of what is good to eat and what is not. Am worried they may get ill on it, but they seem to love it and have almost stripped the leaves naked.

Lynn

[8doubles]

I would protect the rhubarb with a bit of netting , mine used to eat the leaves with no apparent ill effect.
If they overdo it they may well get the squitters and end up with mucky feathers .

[Casey76]

My chickens completely decimated my rhubarb this year... no untoward effects

[le hibou]

No wonder my chickens looked cross when I threw the rhubarb leaves on the compost heap! I didn't think they could have them.

[ehs284]

I'm sure they love it, but I'm not sure that it is good (mine thought it a good idea to help me repair the car yesterday with the result that they now have black tails).
The oxalic acid in the leaves binds calcium into calcium oxalate, which is insoluble and cannot be absorbed.  Given a hen's great need for calcium, I'd avoid it.

[Mega]

Oh so would it be ok to hang a couple up in their run once in a while if not 'free range' ??

[8doubles]

Oh so would it be ok to hang a couple up in their run once in a while if not 'free range' ??

You will not be doing the rhubarb plant any good and you could find some better greenstuff to give to the hens. I plant perpetual spinach beet for the hens and tie a few leaves  to the run wire.

[Mega]

Oh would only use the leaves when picked !! Lettuce thats bolted etc I am sure they won't mind either ?

[8doubles]

Oh would only use the leaves when picked !! Lettuce thats bolted etc I am sure they won't mind either ?

Lettuce  can cause problems if you give them too much, cabbage , kale and broccoli do not seem to have the same 'loosening' effect.