Chickens eating paint possibly containing lead . . . problem?

[TwinkleCake]

Okay, so I found a mouse my chicken was trying to eat today (sigh) and it got me to really pay attention to them free-ranging. They seem to be wandering off to the barn and eating the crumbling paint that's chipping from the wall. Is this a problem if it contains lead and will it contaminate the eggs?

Thanks!

 

[davedavey]

It would for sure make the eggs bad! And the meat also. Best to fence them from getting to the shed! Take some of the paint chips in and see if they contain lead! And chickens will eat mice!

 

[TwinkleCake]

Yea, that's what I thought. Thanks for confirming my concern.

 

[TwinkleCake]

If the paint does contain lead, will it affect my chicken's health? We're in the process of rebuilding the run so they won't have anymore access to it.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I wouldn't eat lead paint tainted eggs, and you can never eat those chickens... as for the mice, unless you've been putting out poison for the mice, it's perfectly fine to let the chickens do what comes naturally, and that includes hunting for mice.

 

[TwinkleCake]

The eggs are most certainly rubbish! Just worried for their health though . . .

 

[Folly's place]

They could be poisoned if they eat enough of the lead, and they and their eggs are tainted. Get those paint chips tested! Then you will have information, and can have a plan going forward. Mary

 

[TwinkleCake]

Thanks, Mary! That's sound advice!