Eating bugs?

[Ravenna]

My babies are now two weeks old and I took them out for the first time today.

: My question is, however, how safe is it for them to eat insects? I caught a few eating earwigs and various other critters running around in my garden box. I've just read there is a good chance they can catch different kinds of worms and parasites from eating buggers.

Also, I caught a few pecking at some periwinkle creeping in, how toxic is that stuff? I seems to be since it oozes white. :O Do they need grit when they start pecking outside as well? Thanks!!!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
The thing is, you can't STOP them from eating bugs, and probably wouldn't want to anyhow since really how much other amusement do they get all day? Scratching the dirt and hunting for bugs (also, for roosters, procreation) is pretty much what being a chicken is all about

They probably will pick up one worm here or there on occasion. Oh well. It won't kill them. Chances are real good it won't even *affect* them, and you'll never even know about it. It's not like a single internal parasite matters -- it's just very high worm loads that can be a problem.

So, let 'em have their fun

(e.t.a - I should probably know whether periwinkle is poisonous but I don't. Google should give you a good idea. When in doubt I'd err on the side of caution with young chicks. Yes, they should be given chick-sized grit, either commercial type or whatever comparable you happen to have lying around (if your soil is naturally very sandy/gravelly you might not have to actually *offer* anything at all))

JMHO,

Pat

 

[Redsquirrel]

Periwinkle is listed as a toxic plant-so better steer them away from that.
If the chick seems ok it probably didn't eat enough to hurt it.

 

[Redsquirrel]

this is the link if you want to look up any more plants, etc.,
http://www.plannedparrothood.com/plants.html

 

[gritsar]

If the chicks were with their mama, she'd be introducing them to the delights of eating bugs from the time they were a few days old. No worries.

 

[cmom]

I agree with gritsar. Not to worry.

 

[Ravenna]

Quote:
Yikes! Thanks VERY much for the link! ;o

 

[Ravenna]

Thank you everyone for your awesome replies!

Being a new chicken mommy makes you worry about the most tiny of things. I just get concerned about their little digestive systems at this age. But, it was awfully funny watching them catch earwigs, carry it around in their little beaks like, "Lookie what I have!" as the other ones try to chase them for it.

Has anyone ever tried buying baby crickets and letting them have a go at that? Or wax worms?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I catch crickets in the backyard and have bought mealworms for them before, but don't do it often since mine find plenty free-ranging.
The first time you watch them catch a frog or a mouse and beat it to death on the nearest solid surface before ripping it apart, you'll realize what little vultures they really are.

 

[Ravenna]

Quote:
I catch crickets in the backyard and have bought mealworms for them before, but don't do it often since mine find plenty free-ranging.
The first time you watch them catch a frog or a mouse and beat it to death on the nearest solid surface before ripping it apart, you'll realize what little vultures they really are.

Speaking of vultures, that reminds me of the time my fiance was doing archaeology work in the desert. Apparently there were tons of roadrunners. And these roadrunners got used to them throwing out grubs and tidbits from their units. They were on their lunch one day and suddenly they heard a horrific scream coming from a tiny bunny. These roadrunners were stalking this thing Jurassic Park style. One roadrunner picked this poor thing up in it's beak and started slamming it to death against a rock. I guess this left him with a new impression of certain birds. And leaving him sort of disturbed by the scene haha. One even went as far as standing over someone that had fallen asleep in the shade, looking like they were ready to peck her eyes out. They mean serious biz.

I didn't realize chickies were little raptors too! I can't wait to share with him.

LOL.