Chicken swallowed whole snail shell

[sarah921]

Hello! This is my first year raising chickens! I love it, but also so stressful
Tonight while we let our chickens out to roam the yard I heard a weird noise and look over to see one of my chickens swallowing a snail shell whole. After that she immediately started to act different… is this something she’ll be able to break down? Is there anything I can do?

 

[CoopBoots]

Big welcome to the forums!

How exactly is your chicken behaving "different" than usual?

I haven't seen mine eat a snail yet, but it seems it's pretty common and not likely harmful in terms of an adult chicken being able to digest it:

https://backyardsidekick.com/do-chickens-eat-slugs-feeding-slugs-and-snails-safely/

I'd double check you have grit available as it would possibly help with grinding up whatever harder stuff they find to eat.

 

[picklestheduck]

Yes I agree how is she acting different? And can you see or feel the snail shell anywhere along her neck or crop area? Anything indicating it being stuck?

 

[dawg53]

Her gizzard should grind up the snail shell, no problem.

 

[Krugerrand]

The shell should be high in calcium!

 

[Dreamers Nook]

Welcome to the group!
I agree, it can definitely be a mite stressful, but there's plenty of help here. Glad you joined!