Ate a rubber band?

[Red Dust Ranch]

My Rhode Island Red just ate a rubber band that I accidentally dropped in the coop... does anyone know if this is O.K.?
Thank you in advance,
Red Dust Ranch

 

[papadekaitlyn]

I have no idea. I have heard of chickens eating a multitude of weird things and not being hurt. My best guess is that if it doesn't resrict the birds digestive tract then it should be fine. I don't believe rubber bands contain any toxic ingredients, so chemically it should be Ok...

 

[redoak]

My old cat used to eat them alot and she was always ok. Hope your hen doesn't have any adverse effects.

 

[chicken+quail=luv]

my friends said that they dropped a bendable little twist tie in the coop, and the hen ate it. she seemed fine at first, and then died and was perfectly healthy.

 

[papadekaitlyn]

A twist tie does have a piece of wire in it though. I think your chances are pretty good with it just being a rubber band. You shouldn't get worried straight away. Do you have granite grit avaialble to your flock? I ask because some people I've talked to only give theirs sand. The granite grit might be coarse enough to eventually grind it up. Of course on the other hand it may just pass on through with no problems... How big was the rubber band?

 

[Red Dust Ranch]

The rubber band was a regular size... 1/4 inch width... I appreciate all your feedback.
Red Dust Ranch, New Mexico

 

[Red]

I'm guessing your RIR will be okay. Our girls have eaten foam, rope and even a metal stud they pulled out of my ear...

 

[chickorama]

Chickens have tough digestive tracts!! I can't be certain he/she will recover, but I hope so...

 

[Attack Chicken]

DO NOT give them crushed granite. Right now I have a girl that is with the vet and is bleeding internally from that stuff...