Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: BML on May 09, 2017, 23:35

Title: Chickens and Bluebells?
Post by: BML on May 09, 2017, 23:35
I have been thinking about planting some Bluebells but was told today that they might affect the three chickens I have that wander round the part of the garden where the Bluebells will be.  Is that correct?
Title: Re: Chickens and Bluebells?
Post by: Paul Plots on May 10, 2017, 00:19
I don't keep chooks - I do have bluebells at the far end of the garden along the track at the back.

I can't imagine that bluebells and chickens would be a good mix.... Hyacinthoides non-scripta.... sometimes regarded as similar to foxglove as far as plants to avoid eating.

Do chickens have common sense when it comes to ignoring plants that are bad for them?



I certainly would not leave any part of the bluebell where my budgies could get at it.
Title: Re: Chickens and Bluebells?
Post by: Mr R Design on May 10, 2017, 06:39
I have three chickens Baldy, Hairy and Viennetta and also have bluebells in my garden and they do not bother with them.

I also have rhubarb and they do not bother with that and there is other stuff that they don't bother to touch.

I think their brains have a little micro chip in which tells them what they can and can't eat.

What I have seen happen is that they will have a peck at something new i.e. one peck maybe two and then not touch it again for a day or so and my suspicion is that they are testing to see if it is ok before eating copious quantities.

The moral of the story is if you want a garden that is not devoid of plants then go ahead and plant stuff that they are not supposed to eat.
Title: Re: Chickens and Bluebells?
Post by: ghost61 on May 10, 2017, 06:40
My hens free range and are surrounded by good and bad plants, and they appear to know what is ok and what is not.  They sometimes try a bit of a leaf or flower and can be seen to shake their heads in disgust and drop the bit they have tried.  Cleverer than you think!  I have bluebells all over the place, foxgloves, ivy,box, daphne, oleander, and have had no problems.  In fact as they leave those plants alone, the garden remains fairly intact!
Title: Re: Chickens and Bluebells?
Post by: ghost61 on May 10, 2017, 06:41
Great minds think alike Mr R Design!
Title: Re: Chickens and Bluebells?
Post by: Paul Plots on May 11, 2017, 01:25
Seems chickens and rabbits have more sense than budgies.... as our rabbit will take a nibble and reject things that are not so good for him... unfortunately he loves carnations and pinks... trims them so few flowers make it.



Title: Re: Chickens and Bluebells?
Post by: ghost61 on May 11, 2017, 05:42
My hens munch pinks too!  Have to ban them from that part of the garden.
Title: Re: Chickens and Bluebells?
Post by: Flowerpower136 on May 16, 2017, 21:43
They might not eat them, but they could still trash them. Just for fun. I've had to move my rhubarb because they ripped it to shreds. :mad:
Title: Re: Chickens and Bluebells?
Post by: 8doubles on May 17, 2017, 07:34
Had a hen that was off colour then recovered then off colour again , then i saw the peck marks in the foxglove leaves !

There is always one ! :nowink:
Title: Re: Chickens and Bluebells?
Post by: Paul Plots on May 18, 2017, 16:50
Had a hen that was off colour then recovered then off colour again , then i saw the peck marks in the foxglove leaves !

There is always one ! :nowink:

Hopefully it will learn....
Title: Re: Chickens and Bluebells?
Post by: 8doubles on May 18, 2017, 17:44
Had a hen that was off colour then recovered then off colour again , then i saw the peck marks in the foxglove leaves !

There is always one ! :nowink:

Hopefully it will learn....

The foxglove had to go , shame as it is one of my favourite weeds !
Plants that hens do not eat they dig up to get a worm so none are safe.
Title: Re: Chickens and Bluebells?
Post by: danfinn1 on June 08, 2017, 23:10
I have had to keep mine away fom my Rhubarb. They started pecking all the leaves off. I was advised that the leaves are poisonous and this may build up in the hen and her eggs. So that is why I have been careful.

Always remember the old saying," put rubbish in you get rubbish out" :(

Same with stinging nettles, I put those in a water barrel to make fertiliser. Would never try to feed them to my hens, who don't go near them anyway :)