Dutchman's pipevine and chickens

12 years ago

I decided to grow a new pipevine (macrophyla) up the back of my chicken run. Its the biggest structure around that I could grow it up. After I went to alot of trouble planting it (the area had fencing in the ground, to keep animals from digging under), I started thinking that I've read that its toxic. I wasn't too worried about it growing up the sides of this big fenced-in run, but I'm sure it will grow over the top (where there is also fencing), but when the leaves die in winter, they might fall down into the run, and the chickens might eat them.

To make a long story short: Would it be toxic to chickens? Might chickens just know not to eat it?

Anyone else out there with chickens? I sure don't want to have to dig this big plant up again, but I don't want to make my chickens sick either.

Thanks.

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Comments (5)

MissSherry
12 years ago
I don't have chickens and can't say for sure if it's toxic to them or not, but I'm always surprised at how rabbits and deer can eat any Aristolochia I plant outside my garden area and not die, at least I haven't found any bodies.
You could contact your county agent to be sure - chickens may be more sensitive than wild rabbits and deer.
Sherry
catherinet
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks Sherry,
I'll give our ag agent a call. Hopefully, it doesn't bother chickens, 'cause its a perfect place for the vine!
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bananasinohio
12 years ago
Found this link for you.
-Elsiabeth

Here is a link that might be useful: Chickens and dutchmans pipevine
catherinet
Original Author
12 years ago
LOL Elisabeth! I really appreciate that. But I'm "Country4ever" (the author of that post)....haha Busted! :)
I just thought I'd ask here too.
The Chicken forum I posted that on sort of went both ways. Looks like some chickens ignore it and some smaller other animals might eat it and not die, even though literature says its really toxic.

What I might do is just trim it so it never goes over the top of the run, where leaves would be more likely to fall through.
Thanks Elisabeth!
agbowers832
12 years ago
Hey! I am researching pipevine for the same reason. However, it just dawned on me that the plant itself might not kill the chickens, but the vine is a host plant for the pipevine swallowtail caterpillar (which is why i want to plant it), AND the plant makes the CATERPILLARS poisonous to birds and i bet the chickens would try to eat the caterpillars. What do you think?