Understanding what toxins your flock might encounter is essential for protecting their health and ensuring safe egg and meat production. Here’s a detailed look at the most common and dangerous backyard and pasture toxins for poultry in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Toxic Plants in Backyard Landscapes

New Jersey and Pennsylvania are home to a wide variety of plants, some of which are beautiful but potentially deadly to chickens. Free-ranging birds are more likely to encounter these hazards, but even chickens in secure runs may be exposed if clippings or windblown seeds make their way in.

Key toxic plants to watch for include:

• Azaleas and Rhododendrons – Very common in landscaped yards. These plants contain grayanotoxins, which affect cardiac function and can cause death.

• Yew (Taxus spp.) – Found in many older suburban yards. All parts are toxic; ingestion can cause sudden death due to cardiac arrest.

• Foxglove – Highly ornamental, but contains digitalis compounds that are toxic to the heart.

• Nightshade (including Deadly Nightshade and Black Nightshade) – Grows wild along fence lines and pastures. Contains solanine, which affects the nervous system.

• Buttercup (Ranunculus spp.) – Found in pastures and wild meadows. Fresh buttercup is toxic but usually avoided due to its bitter taste; dried buttercup in hay may still pose a risk.

• Daffodils – Spring bulbs that can cause severe digestive upset.

• Pokeweed – Native plant often found in hedgerows and wild areas. Toxic berries and roots can cause vomiting and convulsions.

Moldy Feed and Compost

Chickens are curious foragers, and if they have access to compost piles, old garden beds, or spilled grain, they may consume moldy or decaying organic matter. This can lead to mycotoxicosis, a serious condition caused by fungal toxins.

Key sources include:

• Moldy corn or grain in storage

• Spoiled feed

• Compost piles, especially those with bread, fruit, or dairy

• Wet bedding or hay harboring fungal growth

Always store feed in airtight containers and keep compost and food waste well out of reach. Mycotoxins can cause neurological symptoms, reproductive issues, and immune suppression.

Pesticides and Herbicides

Both suburban lawns and rural fields in NJ and PA may be treated with chemical agents that are dangerous to poultry.

Hazards include:

• Glyphosate-based herbicides – Often used to kill weeds. Chickens can ingest residues on plants or soil.

• Neonicotinoid insecticides – Harmful to birds and potentially fatal to beneficial insects in their diet.

• Rodenticides – Common around barns and sheds. Ingesting a poisoned rodent or even bait directly can kill a chicken.

• Fungicides – Used in garden and orchard management. Some linger on foliage and can affect chickens that forage under treated plants.

Avoid allowing chickens into recently sprayed areas, and always follow label directions regarding re-entry times. Consider switching to natural or organic treatments when possible.

Industrial and Environmental Contaminants

Parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey have an industrial legacy that left behind contaminated soil. Urban and semi-urban chicken keepers should be especially aware of:

• Lead contamination – Common near old buildings, especially those with peeling exterior paint. Chickens can ingest lead particles while scratching in the soil.

• Heavy metals – May be found in areas near former factories or along old rail lines. These metals can accumulate in organs and eggs.

• Arsenic residues – Though less common now, older wood (e.g., pressure-treated lumber) can leach arsenic into the soil.

Soil testing through your local extension office (Rutgers in NJ or Penn State in PA) is inexpensive and highly recommended before starting a coop or garden near older structures.

Toxic Weeds in Pasture

For those managing pasture-raised chickens, especially in rotation with livestock or near woodlots, watch for:

• Jimsonweed – Contains tropane alkaloids that affect the nervous system.

• Hemlock – Grows in low, moist areas. Highly poisonous in small amounts.

• Milkweed – Toxic in large quantities and may be more dangerous when wilted.

• Bracken Fern – Can cause vitamin B1 deficiency and has carcinogenic compounds.

Regular mowing, pasture rotation, and careful observation can reduce exposure. Chickens usually avoid many toxic plants unless forage is scarce.

Household and Barn Chemicals

Chickens that range near garages, barns, or sheds might encounter dangerous substances such as:

• Antifreeze – Sweet-tasting and extremely toxic.

• Motor oil or grease – Can cause digestive upset and toxicity.

• Paint chips and solvents – Lead-based products are especially dangerous.

Lock these materials away securely, and avoid using contaminated rags or materials in coops.

Conclusion

New Jersey and Pennsylvania offer beautiful environments for backyard and pasture chicken keeping—but they also require vigilance. The region’s gardens, wild areas, and even historic soil can contain hazards that threaten your flock.

Good management practices include:

• Walking your property to identify and remove harmful plants

• Keeping feed fresh and dry

• Avoiding chemical exposure

• Testing soil before establishing coops or gardens

• Providing diverse forage to discourage eating risky plants

Healthy chickens are curious chickens. Make sure what they find in your backyard is safe.