Ivy and Hawthorn

[Beckybex]

Hello,

We've recently cleared a space to extend our chickens run. There was a fair amount of ivy there and we've cleared as much as poss. Have read that ivy can be poisonous to chickens, is this the case? I'm worried in case there's any left behind. Wondered if anyone had any experience of whether hens will actually eat it in the first place!

Also have trimmed a hawthorn tree and have some big branches with berries on, do you think the chickens would like them? They weren't on the list of poisonous plants that I saw but wanted to double check before I put it in the run! Thanks everyone.

[MaureenHall]

I'd tend to try and get rid of as much of it as possible, though the chooks won't eat anything that's going to do them serious harm. I've got ragwort springing up in my garden and the chooks just munch round it

[kevnsue]

Hi,our hens live in a run over a ditch with ivy and hawthorn in and they have cleared it with no problem.

[vicky]

I don't think they'd eat the ivy leaves but you might have to chop off any flowers before they fruit as they'd probably try to eat those!
Hawthorn berries are ok for humans to eat ('haws'), not sure regarding chooks

[Bramble-Poultry]

i wouldnt just to be on the safe side as hawthorn can be used to help regulate your heart etc in herbal remedies and i wouldnt want to "medicate" my birds unless i had to!