Chickens and Caterpillars

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Hi guys today I was letting them free range when my black backed neck caught something and started running around with it soon the whole clock was chasing her I finally caught her and saw that she had a huge caterpillar with a horn of some sort on it in her mouth I made her let go and I don’t know if it’s poisonous or something if any one has any experience with this type of caterpillar please let me know about it

 

[centrarchid]

Picture not best. May be a horn worm of some sort. Many may be mildly toxic and my chicken say they taste less good than butt. The chickens here are careful to remove gut contents before eating them.

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Picture not best. May be a horn worm of some sort. Many may be mildly toxic and my chicken say they taste less good than butt. The chickens here are careful to remove gut contents before eating them.

But are they in any danger of dying or getting sick if they eat them?

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Here are some more pictures

 

[centrarchid]

But are they in any danger of dying or getting sick if they eat them?

Not based on my experience. The chickens can and will eat them. The process is more drawn out than with more tasty prey items.

 

[noregerts]

It kind of looks like a tomato hornworm.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

Delicious treat for chickens, no danger. That's a Manduca (hornworm).

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Not based on my experience. The chickens can and will eat them. The process is more drawn out than with more tasty prey items.

ok that’s good to here she seemed fine today and didn’t seem different

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

Delicious treat for chickens, no danger. That's a Manduca (hornworm).

Now I feel bad for taking it from her

 

[Rhodeislandsilkie]

It kind of looks like a tomato hornworm.

It does just a little lighter in color