How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Foraging and toxic plants

Thanks Marla, I'll be getting goats in a few months and I'd wondered about the oak/acorns. Neighbors in the canyon have goats and haven't seemed to have a problem but I wasn't certain. The chickens I'm a little more concerned about. They aren't foraging at present but are running up a pretty high tab in meal worms, freeze dried grasshoppers, fruit, nuts, grains and the like—in addition to lay mash/crumble & scratch. The vinca, sedum and oxalis are all plants that have been on the property for decades. They're never watered and still manage to survive. They've also protected our house wooden house from burning when two recent brush fires came across our property.

________________________________
From: Marla <marlajulich@yahoo.com>
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 7:21 PM
Subject: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Foraging and toxic plants

Yes I used to have goats. They ate acorns no problem. They were dopes about other things though. The young ones loved to get out and eat cherry leaves. Those have cyanide in them. Only lost one though thanks to fast thinking and a vet who would instruct me over the phone. We removed all cherry trees after that.
Some foods with tannins are ok in moderation. It's thought they work as a dewormer.
I haven't had any chickens get sick off of anything they've eaten so far (knock on wood).
Marla