Can an area of land become devoid of worms due to chickens eating them?

[valxo]

I know, I know! This question sounds ridiculous. But I really am hoping to find an answer. Our garden is not far from our chicken coop and run. I’ve been watering the run bed at night and raking up the wet hay in the morning to reveal a nice wormy breakfast for the babies. Here’s the ridiculous question: Can I inadvertently lure so many worms to the wet coop that they are depleted from the garden?? Is that even possible? Thank you to anyone not laughing so hard that they aren’t able to respond.

 

[drumstick diva]

I'm not laughing , I don't think your chickens can make much of a difference to the worm population. Maybe if you had thousands of them- but, even then worms are just part of what chickens eat, some will even eat mice and small snakes, other bugs that come around etc. Welcome to Backyard chickens.

 

[drumstick diva]

BTW if you stop watering the run at night, it will be harder for hens to eat/find them.

 

[Chickwhispere111]

I’m not laughing don’t worry worms are often lurred to the sound tapping on the ground as they think it’s rain so they come to the surface so your chickens may be attracting a lot of worms however I’m not sure they would have all gone?

 

[oregonkat]

I know, I know! This question sounds ridiculous. But I really am hoping to find an answer. Our garden is not far from our chicken coop and run. I’ve been watering the run bed at night and raking up the wet hay in the morning to reveal a nice wormy breakfast for the babies. Here’s the ridiculous question: Can I inadvertently lure so many worms to the wet coop that they are depleted from the garden?? Is that even possible? Thank you to anyone not laughing so hard that they aren’t able to respond.

Welcome to BYC. I don't believe that your chickens will make much of a dent in the population of worms.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I doubt that would be a thing. Worms don't travel that far. Chickens can and do deplete invertebrates, vertebrates, seeds and plants over time where they forage.
Watering the run at night will break down the soil into smaller particles and the chickens walking on it will compact the soil making it difficult (read that as impossible) to grow things. Add to that, the phosphorus from chicken feces will exacerbate the problem.
Personally, I would leave the straw on the ground to dilute the feces and cushion the impaction on the soil.
I would also add that worms and other invertebrates are intermediate hosts for parasitic worms so I don't encourage my birds to eat them.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Have to say ditto the others Welcome to Backyard Chickens the chickens will clear the ground but go deep enough you can still find worms

 

[Kiki]

Welcome! We are glad you joined our flock!
Jump right in and make yourself at home.
No worm eating allowed for my chickens either.
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[PirateGirl]

ooo.... I read a really interesting article on worms and chickens recently... let me see if I can find it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Earthworms are secondary hosts to short tapeworms, capillary worms and gapeworms.