Chickens ate Pink Insulation - Are my girls and their eggs ok ???!!!

Hi fellow backyard chicken farmers,

I'm in a dilemma and need some help. I'm a first time BY chicken owner of 5 Rhode Island Reds. Living in Canada, I built the coop very sturdy and insulated with fiberglass pink insulation. While I thought that I had covered up most of the areas where the insulation was exposed, lone behold there was a spot that was hidden where the chickens, while high on their roosts, could reach up and grab the insulation. Unfortunately, by the time I had realized they had been eating it, they had chomped-down a good 2' x 2' piece of insulation.
I have caught them eating some since then, and they seem to enjoy it.. so I'm quite worried for a couple of reasons.

While they all seem very healthy, as I keep their coop, water and food very clean, I'm not sure what this will do to them. Their 'poop' seems fine and haven't seen any traces of 'pink' fibers in it. I think they are going to be fine. My big concern however, are the eggs. These girls just started laying about a month ago and we just started to eat them (my family). Since I found out about the fiberglass, we're collecting, but not eating them any more for fear that they are 'contaminated'. I did some research online with the manufacturer of the insulation. Apparently, fiberglass pink is comprised of 5% formaldehyde used to bind the fibers. I also found that it is a known carcinogen with rats, etc..

I'm not sure what to do. The proverbial wind has been taken out of my sails as the idea of having our own chickens was to avoid this kind of contamination.. I feel irresponsible a bit, as I perhaps should have closed up the exposed insulation better.. I honestly never thought they would eat this stuff, being a first time chicken owner.. So I ask, what should I do ?? Throw out these beautiful eggs we have been waiting so long for ?? Does anybody know if ingesting this stuff could have long term effects on the chickens and/or contaminate the eggs ?? If so, what should I do with my girls ?? Perhaps I am over-reacting, but when you know they ate this stuff, you want to make sure.. Everyone's advise would really be appreciated!!!!!

Jason

 

Thanks for your suggestions.. I guess it's just kindof freaks me out as I don't want to essentially be eating insulation myself.. haha.. I appreciate you forwarding along my post to others that may have some more experience with this.. Have you ever heard of eggs being affected negatively by some of the stuff they curiously eat ??

Much thx..

 

Thanks very much for all your advise! It does ease my mind that some of you have experienced your chickens eating things they shouldn't have. I also think that I will call a local vet or college - there is a very well known agricultural (vet) university close by that may be able to assist - thanks for that suggestion btw.. It's a shame, but they are some nice big brown eggs, and over the last couple of weeks, I have collected well over a dozen. I suppose I will take the advise of blowing them out for Easter, just to be sure. I'll also find out how long this may stay in their systems. When I find out, I'll let you all know, in case some of your flocks get curious and eat something they perhaps shouldn't be. At the end of the day, over all these years of eating store-bought eggs, who knows what kind of chemicals have been ingested, as I'm sure large scale egg production facilities are likely not as diligent about watching everything their hens are eating as perhaps we are.. Thanks again! J