Chicken ingested small piece of concrete rock!

[LLL]

We are building a big beautiful new run for our chicken (soon to get more). Where concrete was poured around the base of the post holes our chicken ingested a small piece of concrete! She kind of coughed a couple of times and then continued to scratch and peck. Early this morning she was making some uncharacteristic loud sounds but then was quiet. She is acting OK and laid an egg but our concern is that she didn't seem to poop last night. Other than that, she is acting OK. My question-- could she be blocked up somehow? Can she digest concrete? Not sure if there is something I should be giving her that could help. Thanks so much in advance for any feedback and/or advice.

 

[chickengirl778]

How big was the piece?

 

[LLL]

How big was the piece?

I'm really not sure. Maybe half a pinky nail. It wasn't that big but when she tried to swallow it she appeared to choke a bit.

 

[chickengirl778]

It's not a lot bigger than a piece of grit then. One of my chickens has eaten a tiny rubber band and other non-food items and is still alive and kicking! I think she should be ok!

 

[HoopyFrood]

Chickens have a knack for eating ANYTHING they shouldn't IMO.

Just watch them closely. As long as they eat, drink, poop, and act normal otherwise, there's nothing else you can do. Mine have choked things down they shouldn't have and even become hoarse/raspy for 1-3 days as a result. I wish they wouldn't (and do everything I can to make sure they don't have access to things they shouldn't eat)...

But they somehow find ways regardess of how diligent you are! I've seen them eat sticks, pebbles, weed barrier, bits of vinyl zip ties, styrofoam - even broken glass! As long as they have access to REAL grit and eat and drink (and everything else) normally, that's sometimes all we can hope for.

Never a dull moment, huh?

 

[LLL]

Chickens have a knack for eating ANYTHING they shouldn't IMO.

Just watch them closely. As long as they eat, drink, poop, and act normal otherwise, there's nothing else you can do. Mine have choked things down they shouldn't have and even become hoarse/raspy for 1-3 days as a result. I wish they wouldn't (and do everything I can to make sure they don't have access to things they shouldn't eat)...

But they somehow find ways regardess of how diligent you are! I've seen them eat sticks, pebbles, weed barrier, bits of vinyl zip ties, styrofoam - even broken glass! As long as they have access to REAL grit and eat and drink (and everything else) normally, that's sometimes all we can hope for.

Never a dull moment, huh?

Thank you

 

[LLL]

It's not a lot bigger than a piece of grit then. One of my chickens has eaten a tiny rubber band and other non-food items and is still alive and kicking! I think she should be ok!

Thank you