1 Answer

• Reputation: 4209 Q&A: 121 4 6 1581 87 19 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Follow Following 5 Russ Campbell, NWEBS

  0 0 My area is more companion parrots but after answering a question recently on sudden death in a young chicken I found my way to your unanswered question from long ago. I suppose you've found out what you wanted to know by now but I thought I would post what I have learned. Hairy Vetch which is used as an agricultural ground cover and forage has been shown to be toxic to cattle, horses and chickens (as it states in the literature). There are nitro-glycosides in the leaves and stems and a cyanogenetic glycoside is present in vetch seed. It appears the actual problem for large animals depends on how high the percentage of hairy vetch in the overall feed consumed. Still the described responses to toxic levels of ingestion of this plant certainly are to be respected. Recommendations, as far as chickens go are if the plant is present to cut it back before flowering is completed so the seeds don't develop. I like your idea of thoroughly eliminating it in the immediate area to be sure of no ingestion by your birds. Once the area is free I would think it would be OK to let your chickens use the space as long as it had not just gone through flowering and seed development so that the ground is laden with available seed to be consumed. Keep your eye pealed for any return growth and just eliminate it as it pops up. By the way, the reported symptoms of toxicity in chickens are labored breathing, convulsions, in-coordination, and weight loss. Russ Campbell, NWEBS answered in Chickens & Animals 11 months ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

  Share this answer with a friend: