Caterpillar

[Delaneygraces]

KHello! Today I was outside and spotted a caterpillar on the driveway. I was going to step on him so my chickens wouldn’t eat it, as I didn’t know what kind it was. As I was putting on a flip flop so I could step on it, one of my pulleys came to investigate and see what I was doing. Of course, she saw the caterpillar, and took off with it, swallowing it whole.

I have NO idea what kind of caterpillar it was. It was all tan, and the closest image I could find was either a
Cattail Seed-Head Caterpillar

But as far as I remeber , it did not have any dark spots/stripes as these worms do.

I tried to find a picture that most closely resembled the caterpillar, and found one, although it has no specific name on the site in which I found it. It’s is simply called “tan caterpillar”

The second picture is of a “turnip Moth caterpillar” BUT when I looked the caterpillar up, all the other images were of darker bugs.

These are all very similar, and might give a slight idea as to what the worm was? When I poked it to see if it was alive, it curled up, and kind looked like a giant oversized grubworm.
I just want to see if anyone could possibly help? Its a long shot, as I have no personal picture. I just want to be 100% sure my chicken didn’t just eat some poisonous caterpillar.
Thank you!

 

[coach723]

Most poisonous caterpillars are obvious by color or barbs or hairs on them. We have several kinds here in Florida, they sting, and my chickens won't touch anything that is fuzzy or barbed, they seem to know. I doubt it was poisonous, but do a search for images of poisonous or stinging caterpillars in your state, and you'll find out what they look like. It was probably just a nice, juicy treat.

 

[bblynn_chicken]

I would believe that your chicken probably ate an overgrown grub! I have received such panic also, and I am still not sure what my pullet ate but she's all good! Chickens digest things differently, and I cannot be 100% sure on what she consumed. So, I'd say that the best thing to do for now is watching her behavior and making sure she is eating, drinking, and pooing all properly. I looked up if chickens are able to eat caterpillars, and chickens have no worries when eating caterpillars! All in all your pullet should be safe!

 

[Delaneygraces]

Most poisonous caterpillars are obvious by color or barbs or hairs on them. We have several kinds here in Florida, they sting, and my chickens won't touch anything that is fuzzy or barbed, they seem to know. I doubt it was poisonous, but do a search for images of poisonous or stinging caterpillars in your state, and you'll find out what they look like. It was probably just a nice, juicy treat.

Thank you! Yes, they never eat any Wooly worms or other fuzzy caterpillars, and this dude didn’t have any, or have bright warning colors, but I just wanted to be sure, as thsi particular pullet isn’t the brightest thing...she has tried to eat many things that aren’t food, including the cats’ tail, rocks that are too big for her beak, and insulation from the garage. Lord help this chicken!