Is this weed dangerous to chickens?

[Spike_2112]

Hello,
Just wondering if anyone knows what weed this is and if it’s toxic to chickens. We have an old garden full of this weed and we were going to put a metal run for the chicks to free run in. Any help appreciated!
Spike

 

[Willowspirit]

I have to admit that i can't truly tell what it is but i doubt its dangerous. With everything else you have there for chickens to love they may not even try it. I can double check with hubby the Botanist when he gets back from horse feeding.

 

[Spike_2112]

I have to admit that i can't truly tell what it is but i doubt its dangerous. With everything else you have there for chickens to love they may not even try it. I can double check with hubby the Botanist when he gets back from horse feeding.

Thanks! We live in central Pa if that helps.
Spike

 

[Willowspirit]

Cool. My dh just came in and said he doesn't know it. If you get pix wit flowers that would help narrow it down, but he agrees that it doesn't look like something chickens would eat a lot of. You might check with ag extension or Penn State.

 

[Elfer]

Could be one of the varieties of wild lettuce, in which case it is a healthy edible for humans, and I would think, chickens. Unless your chickens have nothing else to eat, I don't think your chickens will eat it if it is poisonous. I have lots of flowers that are supposed to be poisonous (daffodils, and aurum, for instance), but have never had a chicken, or cat, seem to be poisoned.

 

[Elfer]

If it's a wild lettuce variety, it will look much like a tall dandelion, with yellow blossom. They are an edible natural pain killer. The ones on my property show more serration on the leaves than your picture. But I think it varies by type and stage. They have milky sap when you break the stem.

 

[Elfer]

Hmmm...looking back at 3rd pic., it seems a bit upward branchy for wild lettuce. I believe the grown chickens will avoid it if it'd bad, unless they are desperate.

I have perilla all around,which is a wild culinary medicinal herb for humans, yet poisonous to cattle. The chickens never touch it.

I did freak out when some young pullets once ate a few berries from what I discovered was a Jerusalem cherry someone had planted here. I read that they are quite poisonous, yet I saw no symptoms. I removed berries, so they didn't continue, but the consumption was a good bit for their small size.

 

[Shadrach]

I'm sorry, I can't help myself. It's the title.
You shouldn't let your chickens smoke.