Check out the gift today! (Photo)

[Blueicebird]

Found this when letting my flock free-range for the afternoon:

Hmm, Puck (My Roo) was out of the coop... must be the girls don't take to free-loaders either.

 

[ninabeast]

WOW. They killed it but didn't eat it. Interesting...

 

[Blueicebird]

They will eat them?! I didn't know they would...

 

[gdhp]

Yeah, that came as a shock to me. I found out the fun way when I walked out into the garden to see my hen running round with a mouse in her beak. She was a happy happy bird.

 

[Blueicebird]

Dang, should I remove it or leave it? If it's not gone when I go back out I will remove it.

 

[gdhp]

I would guess if any of them had any intention of eating it they would have all been running round the coop chasing each other for it. So I would guess for whatever reason none of them consider it food.

I'm only going by what I've seen though. No expert. But I'd say just remove it.

 

[whoacowboy]

Mine do just what yours did...kill and kill only. They will bring it up the ramp and drop it there.

 

[Blueicebird]

I just tossed it. They remind me of Cats... lol The scratching and everything. My arms are suffering.

 

[Redcatcher]

Nice. Years ago someone wrote an article in one of the APA newsletters (this was before the internet) about their flock of buff Orpingtons that would catch and swallow mice whole! He said that they would almost choke in the process. Pretty impressive and I have no reason to doubt him.

 

[chick-george]

I've watched mine catch them and eat them up too. But I try and look around when they free range and remove anything I dont want them to eat, like already dead mice.