Chickens eating styrofoam...

[Karen Glatz]

I just went out to put the chickens in their coop and they had found a sheet of styrofoam and it appear to have eaten quite a lot of it. It was all over and I had to actually shoo them away while I cleaned it up, they wanted to eat more.

I hope I won't find 10 dead chickens in the coop tomorrow morning.

Has anyone else had this happen - did they survive? Is there anything I can do tonight to help them?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yes, I put a styro cooler outside and the cats and chickens both went nuts on it. The cats used it as a scratching post and the hens pecked it and ate it. Nobody died. I did put it away, but mostly so I could use it, more than that I was worried about anybody. If they did not eat huge quantities they will probably be okay.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They will probably pass it no problem. You provide a source of poultry grit for them (crushed granite) correct?

Chickens love love styrofoam, not sure why. Mine have eaten a small amount before and I didn't have any problems. If there is any more around that they can get into, I would remove it or block access.
I would check everyone in the morning before they eat/drink to see that their crops are empty.

 

[azygous]

Yes, most of us with chickens have discovered them eating styrofoam, silicone caulk, and one time I had a hen snatch a bandaid off the back of my leg and swallow it. It appears they can do this with no ill effects.

However, do keep a watchful eye out for any chicken behaving "off", slowing down, not wanting to eat but wanting to drink copious amounts of water. This could indicate a clogged digestive system. If that happens, give a teaspoon of oil and massage the crop.

But I don't think you'll see any ill effects from this ill advised culinary impetuosity.

 

[Karen Glatz]

They are free-ish range and are always pecking at dirt and pebbles, not to mention the oyster shell in their food dish. The sheet was pretty beat up and there was lots of little balls everywhere. It looks like they ate quite a bit and wanted more. I cleaned it up as well as I could and trashed the sheet and a bunch of dirt, since that was the quickest way to get the little stuff up. I'll check them in the morning.

If their crops are not empty, in the morning, I'll try oil and see what I can do.

I'm so glad you guys are here!

 

[Folly's place]

There's no type of insulation that they won't eat!
Mary

 

[BigBlueHen53]

There's no type of insulation that they won't eat!
Mary

 

[Karen Glatz]

Well, 2nd morning and they are all eating and acting normal. I wonder if I'll see lumpy poop.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Well, 2nd morning and they are all eating and acting normal. I wonder if I'll see lumpy poop.

More than likely they have all passed it. I don't think you will really see lumpy poop, but if broken apart you may find bits of insulation.

Sounds like they are doing fine

 

[Criticalicious]

Oyster shell is not the same as grit. It's for calcium to build healthy egg shells. Grit is used to break down food. Glad to hear everyone is fine. My cat eats styrofoam too given half a chance. I don't know why!