[stella]

Hello

Can anyone tell me if any part of a yew tree (leaves, twigs etc) is poisonous to chickens? We have a yew tree above the chicken run and it's leaves and twigs drop down into it (although most is caught on the netting above the run). Our chickens have been poorly on and off since the day we bought them 5 weeks ago. They've had cold's and eye infections and been treated by the vet (responded well, but then a couple got ill again)but one of them is just down and quiet for no apparent reason. We think they are between 16-18 weeks old now. We have 2 x buff orpingtons, 2 x jubilee orpingtons, 1 x araucana (excuse spelling!) and 1 x silkie. It's one of the jubilee's who is unwell and not responding to the vet treatment. the silkie however has never been ill but is a few weeks older than the others.

Thanks in advance for your help

Stella

[Kate and her Ducks]

Know that Yew is poisonous to ruminent livestock and humans so would assume poisonous to chooks too, if they eat it.

[Brambles]

We have a large yew in our garden (not near the chooks).   All I know is that garden birds eat the fruits.  The whole tree is of course very poisonous to humans as Kate says.

[PJM]

I have 2 small Yew Tree's in my garden which I clip on a regular basis. My 6 chooks all avoid them, clippings and berries, so I would assume yours will too.

[Aunt Sally]

This link is about yew poisoning but it does not mention chickens (or any birds)

http://www.provet.co.uk/lorgue/5a92f9b.htm

[Aunt Sally]

Seems the fleshy bit of the berry is not poisonous

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/facts/info-rpdeathtoxins.htm#yew

[Aunt Sally]

I'll add this site to our "useful links" sticky

http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxic2.html

[stella]

Thanks for your replies. I don't think she has been poisoned as all the others are ok. she is going downhill fast for no obvious reason, and we have had to leave her at the vets today to see if they can do anything more.

Stella

[poultrygeist]

I'll add this site to our "useful links" sticky

http://www.poultryhelp.com/toxic2.html

that's an interesting list. It mentions bracken, which I've read can be used as a litter when cut.

Also elderberries, though the hedge which pokes through the run has elder in it and the chooks have been jumping to eat the leaves and, I thought, the berries. They obviously haven't eaten much since they've been fine. Clever hens  

Rob