BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures › HELP! My chickens ate a mouse- are their eggs still safe to eat?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

HELP! My chickens ate a mouse- are their eggs still safe to eat?

post #1 of 4
3/14/12 at 1:22pm
Thread Starter 

I saw my chickens fighting over a live baby mouse yesterday-  and I realized (too late) that my next door neighbor (right next to the chickens) poisons for mice. I don't know if the mouse was poisoned, or not, only that the chickens ate it.

IF the mouse was poisoned before they ate it- are their eggs still safe to eat? It was a tiny mouse, still alive, and was "shared" by 5 large hens. The hens seem  fine and dandy today- just curious about the eggs. Thanks in advance.


Edited by chick4chix - 3/14/12 at 10:11pm
~ Life is better with chickens ~

" Eating is an agricultural act" Wendell Berry
Reply
~ Life is better with chickens ~

" Eating is an agricultural act" Wendell Berry
Reply
post #2 of 4
3/14/12 at 10:04pm
Thread Starter 

I should point out that I did find a dead mouse (obviously poisoned) underneath the straw bale cover- close to where I saw the girls having their mouse-feast. Since they free range, it just occured to me that they may have done this many times before without me seeing it, and therefor inadvertantly eaten eggs from poisoned mice- does anyone know if  the poison carries into the eggs?

~ Life is better with chickens ~

" Eating is an agricultural act" Wendell Berry
Reply
~ Life is better with chickens ~

" Eating is an agricultural act" Wendell Berry
Reply
post #3 of 4
3/15/12 at 3:43am
I have no idea about poison carrying into the eggs but if unsure I'd throw them out for 2 weeks. As for the poison hurting the hens, it depends on what type of poison was used. All of the older rat and mouse poisons will indeed hurt them, but there are newer kinds that will not. Tom Cat is one that won't hurt an animal eating a poisoned mouse. The baby mouse probably didn't ingest the poison, but it's mom did and died and that's why it's out and about and vulnerable. Your girls are probably fine but I'd sure keep an eye on them. And ask your neighbor what poison he used then look that one up and see what type it is.

== Easy incubator wiring chart: http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=65925 Installing a thermostat: http://cmfarm.us/WHTincubator.html
Love those Orps!

I don't care why the chicken crossed the road, as long as mine don't!

Reply

== Easy incubator wiring chart: http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=65925 Installing a thermostat: http://cmfarm.us/WHTincubator.html
Love those Orps!

I don't care why the chicken crossed the road, as long as mine don't!

Reply
post #4 of 4
3/15/12 at 12:03pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks Galanie. It just kills me to throw away their delicious eggs- but better to be safe than sorry.

~ Life is better with chickens ~

" Eating is an agricultural act" Wendell Berry
Reply
~ Life is better with chickens ~

" Eating is an agricultural act" Wendell Berry
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures › HELP! My chickens ate a mouse- are their eggs still safe to eat?