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

[CHICKENCHARLENE]

Thanks for the clarification re: mass chicken farming. Re: building my coop, I was extremely diligent about not leaving any unexposed walls with insulation present. It was the tops of the walls which weren't sealed, and were not even visible from the high roosts they perch on. I never thought they would climb up higher than their perches as it is very awkward to do so.. However, there was a higher ledge they could climb up on which I soon realized, would make the interior of the walls somewhat accessible. At that point, they would have to wrench their necks to get access.. I would have closed it in at the time, had I realized, but it simply wasn't a concern as it wasn't an obvious issue.

While they might be omnivorous, it doesn't mean they eat all things, it just means they can - i.e. we have canines, but not all of us eat meat. I've learned that there are certain nutritious things they clearly won't eat/touch (i.e. whole wheat bread). Unfortunately, insulation isn't one of them. I'm a new chicken owner - so be easy. I've read everything I can and, like all of us, will continue to learn as my flock grows. Thanks, I sincerely appreciate everyone's input!

 

[jennh]

It's funny that you posted this. About a month ago my girls did something similar.
I had put their outside waterer on a brick to keep it off the ground. Well, smart me thought I'd try to keep it better from freezing, so I put the plastic waterer on one of those foam kneeling pads. Guess what! They ate a circle around the whole thing !

It USED to be a rectangle, but now it's a little round circle.
I didn't use their eggs for about a week. Everyone's fine.

Jen

 

[CHICKENCHARLENE]

Lol.. that's a good story JENH.. it makes me feel a little better that I'm not the only one.. it's amazing how quickly they can get into something isn't it ?!
Cheers
CC

 

[Mtmama7]

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

Hi I noticed this is from ten years ago so don’t know if you’ll see this but came across this thread because my chicken actually has been eating the blue styrofoam insulation that’s inside the dog house. I’ve been rather bothered and concerned by it because she just started to lay a month ago.. we've worked hard to be getting fresh healthy eggs and do not want to eat any with carcinogens lol or have our young lady unhealthy! Sounds like mine ate less than yours did but I’m still not going to eat any for a good week or so. What happened with yours and the eggs did you eat them or wait it out? Did you call a vet and find anything helpful out? I’m not sure what to do about it...