[thats1crazylady]

Hi, does anyone know if it's ok to give chooks rhubarb leaves to eat? I know they are not good for us to eat but I'm not sure about hens. Thank you 

[splash101]

mine have eaten the young leaves  and survived.

i think they are on the forbidden list but they have lived another day (dont know about mature leaves though)

[grinling]

Mine walk to the patch and munch quite happily. Also enjoy spinach and beetroot leaves.

[SusieB]

I definitely wouldn't let my chickens eat rhubarb leaves.  They are very high in oxalic acid, which leaches calcium from the body in humans. So it may affect the eggs shell and possibly the chicken's bones.
A lot of poisonous things in the garden, accumulate gradually in the body.  So just because your chicken doesn't keel over and die, doesn't mean they're not affected.

[grinling]

Actually both are very well. They only eat the things they like to so my red spinach beet is fine. Also slugs and snails are safe which is just as well as there are pheasants.

[thats1crazylady]

Conflicting opinion... Thank you, though I will go with Susie's advice as I don't want to risk it. Just seems a pity to chuck so much greenery on the compost pile   

[arugula]

They tend to know what plants aren't good and avoid them. If you're not sure then don't provide great clumps of leaves for them but also don't panic if wander over to a plant and nibble the odd bit.

[Sassy]

I definitely wouldn't let my chickens eat rhubarb leaves.  They are very high in oxalic acid, which leaches calcium from the body in humans. So it may affect the eggs shell and possibly the chicken's bones.
A lot of poisonous things in the garden, accumulate gradually in the body.  So just because your chicken doesn't keel over and die, doesn't mean they're not affected.

Well said

[Casey76]

I wouldn't purposely feed rhubarb leaves, due to the oxalic acid, as stated; but netither would I worry too much if my hens got into my rhubarb patch and had a nibble.

[nic_28]

arent they posionous? my hens have no interest in my rhubabrb leaves anyways I have far too much of the stuff growing here aswell :/