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Chooks and Carolina snailseed

 
gardener
Posts: 787
Location: NE Oklahoma zone 7a
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I have a vine in my yard called Carolina snailseed Cocculus carolinus A bunch of times I have seen some of my chickens eat the leaves and red berries in passing, but a few times I have seen my rooster climb into a tree and go to town eating numerous bunches of berries. I did some internet searches and could find no information on the health benefits or dangers for chickens. A few times I have torn a bunch of these berries down and left them out for the chooks to find and each time they have finished all of them off. They have access to food and plenty of other green plants so they are not eating this vine out of starvation. Does anyone know if this is okay to use as a bigger part of their diet? I have a lot of it growing and could put it where they can harvest it, just wondering if I should. Thanks.
 
pollinator
Posts: 112
Location: North Texas USDA Zone 8a Climate Zone 3A
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From my Texas Master Naturalist website:
“ Birds enjoy the fruit and help this plant reproduce by transporting the seeds. White tail deer, goats and cattle browse the leaves. However, for humans, the alkaloid compounds are bitter and can cause gastric distress. Carolina Snailseed is not considered fatal to humans, but its relative the Cnada Moonseed can be. Canda Moonseed is found much farther north.”

I looked it up because my chickens go crazy for them too.
 
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