Ants Killed Hen

[CluckyJay]

One of my RIR hens was eating ants and then went into convulsions and died. I guess she was stung too many times. I processed her and found ants in her throat. Man am I ticked off. First a stray cat and now ants. I have never lost a bird to ants. How weird. They weren't fire ants either. We haven't sprayed poisons either.

 

[Tina D]

Wow, I had no idea that could happen!! I'm sorry for your loss...

 

[CluckyJay]

I knew fire ants could do it but that is usually because they attack in such large numbers. Its new to me, that's for sure.

 

[uncle rico]

Hope that never happens to any of my birds

 

[OHhappychicks]

WOW!

That's terrible!! Sorry for the loss!

I have never heard of such a thing! I would believe it if they were fire ants, not that I don't believe it, but man, just common ants. I'm going to keep a watch out for ant hills around here! I wonder if anyone else has had that happen.

 

[CluckyJay]

After she died I found the ants working their way back up her throat. I think most chickens are okay--she was either a genetically weak hen or just ate too many that stung her. All the other chickens and roos eat ants just fine. Go figure.

I tried hard to save her, even gave her CPR, lol.

 

[uncle rico]

Quote:
How do you give a hen CPR ?

 

[hcppam]

ouch! Sorry

 

[Opa]

Looks like I'll need to add ants to my thread on the worst predator.

 

[ginger c.]

so sorry for your loss.