Are the Berries From a Privet Hedge Poisonous for Chickens?

Types

• According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are 27 species of privet. The entire plant is considered poisonous.

Berries

• The berries of the privet hedge are black when ripe. While some birds and small wildlife find the berries edible, it is dangerous to barnyard animals such as chickens.

Effects

• The toxin in the berries will affect the gastrointestinal tract of chickens. This can cause diarrhea, convulsions or death.

Prevention/Solution

• Keeping privet hedges trimmed either before or right after flowering will keep the berries from forming, which eliminates the problem of chickens eating the berries.

Considerations

• As with many poisons found in nature, they will affect animals differently. Some chickens may not be bothered by them while others will find them deadly. Usually an animal will not eat something that will poison it, but there are no guarantees.