They seem a lot less gross when the chickens are tripping over each other to get to the 'snacks'. I've never been real fond of earwigs but now that we have chickens (6 weeks old ... ALREADY!??) I actually hunt for earwigs every evening. The chickens that are 'kinda sorta' OK with being handled jump in my lap to get into the 1 quart yogurt container. Why wait for a handout when you can stuff most of your self in the bin?? Thus, what used to be 'yuck' is now CHICKEN TREATS!
There is definitely a difference between the breeds and who REALLY likes earwigs, at least in OUR flock. The Black Astralorps (especially Echo) are all over them, so are the Partridge Chanteclers (especially Dee). The Cuabalyas, who will nestle into our hands if we pick them up, sort of pick at the earwigs but aren't all that interested. The Anconas, Faverolles and the "Ideal Hatchery Ameraucanas", who don't care much for being touched, are now getting interested. I think they were slower on the uptake because they have to get close enough to me to get an earwig and who knows, I might try to touch them. Without great effort on my part, Dee and Echo snatch them all up before the other birds get close enough to see what is going on. Can you say "faster than a speeding bullet"? That's Echo when the earwig container shows up in the coop.
Bruce
