Eight Toxic Plants You Shouldn't Use in Poultry
Most herbs provide health benefits for humans and animals. Therefore, many of them are used to treat and prevent various diseases. I breed chickens and use a wide variety of herbs on my farm. Plants are not only poultry food. They are also a component of its living environment. I prefer the well-known culinary herbs - absolutely safe and edible.
But some plants are toxic to chickens (as well as to humans). There have been cases when the use of too large doses of medicinal and useful herbs led to illness and even death.
I do not do scientific research, do not have a veterinary or medical education. Therefore, I decided that caution would never be excessive. I have completely abandoned the use of materials and products in poultry farming that can provoke problems with my pets.
If on any product we see the mark "vegetable" or "natural", this does not mean at all that it is absolutely safe. The chicken is a fairly small poultry. It doesn't take too much effort to harm her health.
Be careful with essential oils
Essential oils are often misused or overused. Especially if a person does not have information about their use and exact dosages. Therefore, I always prefer fresh or dried herbs.
Some of the unhealthy plants can be found in many poultry products. Therefore, it becomes necessary to always check the ingredient list carefully before purchasing herbal chicken nutritional supplements.
I avoid using poultry furnishings and materials that contain any potentially harmful ingredients. Since chickens can peck even inedible objects, harmful substances in their composition can harm the health of the bird.
Here is a list of some of the toxic plants that I refuse to use. They can cause symptoms of quite serious illness in birds, and in the worst case, they can be fatal.
8 potentially harmful plants
Eucalyptus is not dangerous in itself. But it can contain spores of aspergillosis, a fungus that leads to the extinction of various bird species, including chickens and ducks. In addition, concentrated eucalyptus oil is toxic to humans and animals.
Digitalis is an herb that can lead to heart failure.
Equine nettle is a plant from the nightshade family that has a negative effect on the central nervous system.
Marshmint is toxic to the liver, leads to kidney failure, and sometimes death.
Tansy - can provoke diarrhea, liver disease, death.
Grushanka is the cause of endocrine disorders in the body.
Wormwood - affects the nervous system and can lead to seizures.
House confetti is an aromatic mixture.It contains calendula, rose petals, chamomile, mint, echinacea and other safe herbs. With this mixture, you can maintain a pleasant smell in the chicken coop. It allows you to scare off pests, has a beneficial effect on the bird.