Chicken ate earring back

[Gwhite3678]

Two of my hens love to hop in my lap and sometimes on my back and shoulders and peck at my hair ect. Today one started pecking at my earrings I got the back off of one. I’m not sure if it ate it or it just fell and is lost but I’m concerned if it did eat it what would happen/ what I should do. It’s pretty small just the back of a regular stud style earring.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Thats no good. I wouldn't let them do this because its dominance behavior but as to the issue at hand you will just have to wait and see. My dog ate an earring back once and did fine. I dont know about a chicken though because it could easily get stuck in it's crop and cause big problems. I will tag some people who might be more help @Wyorp Rock @azygous

 

[azygous]

When I was cuddling my first ever baby chicks, one ate the gold stud off my ear. It never did turn up, in one form or another. But no harm ever came of it. The stud has the post and I would have expected a perforated crop or intestine, but nothing happened.

If you wish to play it safe, give the chick(s) raw egg white to eat. It will create a slime that should carry the clasp through harmlessly.

 

[Gwhite3678]

When I was cuddling my first ever baby chicks, one ate the gold stud off my ear. It never did turn up, in one form or another. But no harm ever came of it. The stud has the post and I would have expected a perforated crop or intestine, but nothing happened.

If you wish to play it safe, give the chick(s) raw egg white to eat. It will create a slime that should carry the clasp through harmlessly.

Thank you!!

 

[Gwhite3678]

Thats no good. I wouldn't let them do this because its dominance behavior but as to the issue at hand you will just have to wait and see. My dog ate an earring back once and did fine. I dont know about a chicken though because it could easily get stuck in it's crop and cause big problems. I will tag some people who might be more help @Wyorp Rock @azygous

Is it ok to have them on my lap/ legs but not so that they are higher than me like on my shoulder or back as far as the dominance goes? Honestly after this I likely wouldn’t want them there again because I always have earrings in and have several in each ear.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Yes I think thats fine.

 

[Chicken Quest]

I think the same thing will happen in this thread, but I'm not sure.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chick-ate-rubber-band.1532750/
(BTW If they did swallow it give them some grit to help it pass)

 

[azygous]

Losing an earing is annoying. Having an eye pecked is a whole different level. I adore holding and cuddling my chicks, but some chicks and even adult chickens are fascinated by shiny eyes, and if you wear contacts or have implants, they reflect light in a tantalizing way that makes chickens want to investigate - with their beaks. Wear safety glasses when handling chickens. I had an eye pecked a couple times, and it is a pain I wouldn't wish on anyone.

 

[Opiumbrella]

Thats no good. I wouldn't let them do this because its dominance behavior but as to the issue at hand you will just have to wait and see. My dog ate an earring back once and did fine. I dont know about a chicken though because it could easily get stuck in it's crop and cause big problems. I will tag some people who might be more help @Wyorp Rock @azygous

Is it ok to have them on my lap/ legs but not so that they are higher than me like on my shoulder or back as far as the dominance goes? Honestly after this I likely wouldn’t want them there again because I always have earrings in and have several in each ear.

I do t think it would really make a difference either way. Some of me sweetest birds are the ones who would hop on my shoulder or my back when I was bent over. Never had one try to dominate me in any way. And usually once they get too big, they stop. My bantams still will jump and ride around on my shoulders. And a new baby around 3 weeks olds was doing the same just an hour ago. I’ve never had it cause any sort of problem, other than when they try to eat the mole on my neck

 

[Opiumbrella]

Two of my hens love to hop in my lap and sometimes on my back and shoulders and peck at my hair ect. Today one started pecking at my earrings I got the back off of one. I’m not sure if it ate it or it just fell and is lost but I’m concerned if it did eat it what would happen/ what I should do. It’s pretty small just the back of a regular stud style earring.

I had this EXACT thing happen. It was with a 5/6 week old. And I was terrified. I didn’t know if they ate it or lost it at first. I finally found it in their poop, after a few days, no issues. I gave them coconut oil to help lubricate it and pass easy. And all was well.

I’ve seen chickens eat broken glass and be ok. (They pooped out rounded tumbled glass it was crazy) so watch them, make sure their crop is empty in the morning for the next few days, but don’t freak out.