3 or more hens ate metal!

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

They are 27 weeks old 2 or actually 26 weeks old. I do mean layer feed. I do give them grit with their layer feed. So, I will start separating grit from layer feed. Also, that is reassuring that the poop is normal. It’s not any different texture or color than it should be. Thanks for helping me!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They are 27 weeks old 2 or actually 26 weeks old. I do mean layer feed. I do give them grit with their layer feed. So, I will start separating grit from layer feed. Also, that is reassuring that the poop is normal. It’s not any different texture or color than it should be. Thanks for helping me!

Sounds good!
So they are fairly new to laying, so it's not unusual to find a little blood on an egg, it's just part of the process. Sometimes a tiny blood vessel may get ruptured as the egg is laid.
If you think they are losing weight, then weighing them will help you track that. If they are indeed losing, then we will try to help you figure it out.

I hope all goes well for you and you have no more problems.

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Thanks! This reassured me. I’m going to record their weights ASAP. Good luck with your flock too!

 

[Cyprus]

Don't give them oats. Oats damage their intestines.

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Thanks for letting me know. I will try to gradually stop giving them oats.

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

So guys, last night I weighed all my 7 hens. Here are the results.
Plecka: Barred Rock 27 weeks:5 LB
Helen: Barred Rock 27 weeks: (sister to Plecka): 5 LB
Scooter: Barred Rock 27 weeks (Also sister to Helen and Plecka): 4 LB
Kira: Naked Neck: 27 weeks: 5 LB
Amber: Naked Neck: 27 weeks: Might be sister to Kira: 4 LB
Ruby: Rhode Island Red: 26 weeks: 4 LB
Cleo Patra: Easter Egger: (Part Bantam) 26 weeks: 3 Lb
So that is their current weight. If any of them or over or under weight please let me know. Thank you.

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

The ones I suspect are metal are:
. Plecka ( seems fine now)
. Ruby ( spit one out before but is now fine)
. Scooter ( is fine now)
. Kira ( is fine now)
. Amber ( maybe)
. Helen ( fine now)
Cleo Patra was the only hen that never ate any metal.

 

[Rachel TW]

I have two questions:
1. Should we eat their eggs if they might have hardware disease?
2. How long will it take to poop out the price of metal.

As for your two questions:
1. I think it's okay to eat their eggs but maybe someone else will weigh in. The only problem I can think of is if the piece of metal breaks down and leaches heavy metal into the bloodstream (Heavy Metal Disease) - see this blog post for more info - https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2015/07/preventing-hardware-disease-heavy-metal.html
But even if that happened, I don't think those metals would leach into the eggs - but I'm not completely up on how the circulatory system works so I'm not positive.

2. They could poop it out today or never. I know that doesn't sound helpful, but as someone mentioned above, when they've killed their chickens, they've found metal in their gizzards. Basically the metal could pass through the gizzard at any time or it could stay in there forever. As long as it's not irritating, wearing down, or perforating the lining, it's not a problem. It's nerve wracking that there is no way to know except to wait.

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Thanks for responding! That’s good to know.

 

[CanadaEh]

I’ve removed about 98% of it but here’s still some that are very small and I’m trying to get it but they are hard to find. So I use a magnet to get them. They seem to have stumbled along some.

how they got there in the first place and how big is the area?
if you not sure of 100% removal I suggest to fill it with whatever that would prevent chickens scratching and pecking them (e.g. rocks, tree branches,logs) for a few years till they will rust out naturally