[Zak the Rabbit]

i noticed last time they were out fre-ranging that at least one of my girls was munching rhubarb leaves off the plant,

question is, how toxic is rhubarb to chickens? would they not avoid it if it was unpalatable?

From examination of my poorly chooks droppings and comparing with the poo guide, im starting to think she may have kidney problems. Knowing that rhubarb contains oxalates, and these cause kidney damage as one of their toxic effects, could it be that she is poorly from eating rhubarb leaves?

but then, why would only she eat them and not the others?


starting to get quite worried about her now

[Bodger]

I read somewhere about an old recipe for using crunched up rhubarb leaves as either a poison or pesticide. I can't remember which, but it can't be good news. Chickens are normally quite good at leaving things like that alone.

Have a gander at this Zak

http://www.savor-the-rhubarb.com/rhubarb-leaf-poisoning.html

[happy chick]

Zak wish I could help out with your poorly girl.  
Don't think it could be rhubarb though because have seen previous thread about this (can't remember where though  ) and have a friend who can't grow rhubarb because her chickens always eat the leaves killing the crowns. the chickens have always been fine after.  Think it's quite common for chickens to eat rhubarb w/o any ill effects although it's poisonous.  Will try and find relevant thread.

Adella

[happy chick]

Sorry can't seem to find old thread.  have googled rhubarb and poultry instead. not good.  Seems due to to high oxalic content in rhubarb it definitely is toxic to chickens and other pets, too.  Don,t know how friends chickens didn't suffer ill effects :?

sorry for misinformed past reply :oops:  :oops:  :oops:

[happy chick]

Found prevoius thread by mooky Tues 2 sep 08 (sorry don't know how to post old threads yet)

Don't know if it will help because seemed to be of consensus that chickens were fine after they ate rhubarb leaves  :?

[Vember]

This the one your after Happy Chick??

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=23344



Sarah

[Zak the Rabbit]

thanks HC and Vember,

since the other three are fine, and im guessing whatever one eats the others will have a go at as well, i think i can tentatively rule out the rhubarb.

cheers

[happy chick]

Thanks Sarah  - that was exactly the one!!