The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Calvadnack on February 14, 2013, 02:21:12 pm

Title: Creeping buttercup and hens
Post by: Calvadnack on February 14, 2013, 02:21:12 pm
I have an area of field that's heavily infested with creeping buttercup.  I want to put my hens on it to let their current field recover.  Given that buttercup is bad for sheep and horses, I'd like to find someone who has done this with chickens without any ill effects.


The research that is often quoted is from 1955 and I'm looking for real-world reassurance that they'll be ok.


Can anyone give advice on their experience ?
Title: Re: Creeping buttercup and hens
Post by: colliewoman on February 14, 2013, 02:30:04 pm
Well my chooks range out over fields that are yellow with buttercups during summer and they are just fine. As are my sheep? Never knew buttercups were bad for sheep?
I know rabbits ain't supposed to eat them, but the ignore them anyway!
Title: Re: Creeping buttercup and hens
Post by: Womble on February 14, 2013, 02:54:24 pm
^ Ditto!  :)
Title: Re: Creeping buttercup and hens
Post by: Calvadnack on February 14, 2013, 03:20:14 pm
Thank you - actual experience is always the best.


We'll get the hens off their wet field and onto the dry.
Title: Re: Creeping buttercup and hens
Post by: hughesy on February 14, 2013, 03:31:19 pm
We've got loads of buttercups too and our chickens have never come to any harm. Grazing geese seem to keep it down. Dunno if they eat it or just keep trampling it.
Title: Re: Creeping buttercup and hens
Post by: in the hills on February 14, 2013, 04:46:43 pm
We have quite a lot, too. Sheep and hens on there and no ill effects to my knowledge.


Didn't know it was bad for either  ??? .


Neighbour has loads of hens and her hill is a mass of yellow ..... they all seem fine.
Title: Re: Creeping buttercup and hens
Post by: Bionic on February 14, 2013, 04:53:51 pm
We have quite a lot, too. Sheep and hens on there and no ill effects to my knowledge.

/quote]
Same here