Eating Insects?

[critterlover]

Will chickens eat small spiders, beetles or any other little insects other than worms that get into their run?

 

[danielle82]

I think chickens eat a lot of bugs, I read on this site somewhere about somones chickens going after mice too....

 

[emvickrey]

Mine will eat anyhting that don't eat them first. I go around the yard looking for worms and crickets to toss in the run. Its very entertaining to watch them go nuts and try to steal it from each other. They suck the worms down like spaghetti. If they can catch the bug its a meal. When mine had free roaming in the yard when they spotted a flying bug they would chase it all over the place.

And yes they will kill mice and snakes. Mine killed a mouse.

 

[codybird]

Short answer.....................YES

Long answer......................YES

 

[PAJerry]

I have noticed the chickens catching insects 'on the fly'! We get a lot of japanese beetles here in the summer and most people have the bag traps for them. I'm planning to put the lure part in the chicken run and just let them catch the beetles as they are attracted to the lure. Free food.

 

[KattyKillFish]

of course they will! any bugs that find their way into the coop or run usually get eaten up. even flies that land in the brooder are doomed!

 

[caralouise1974]

I just moved some housebricks around in my run (I use them to keep the feeders and drinkers raised off the floor) and underneath each one I moved was an array of enormous fat slugs. My two girls have spent the last 15 minutes trying to eat them all up without choking! It has been a very messy business.

Henrietta found the most disgusting spindly hairy spider the other day, and you would've thought I hadn't fed her for a week, the way she gobbled it up.

They really do love anything that constitutes a 'live' meal!

 

[KattyKillFish]

Quote:
there is nothing healthier for a chicken than a live meal!

 

[Beau coop]

I have a wood plank down in my run for a dry place for me to walk after it rains. Each morning I go out and lift the board and the girls come running! They know there will be some good eats under there. Worms, and bugs. Yum!

 

[wohneli]

Quote:
I agree with this. Mine would probably eat my cats if the cats stayed still for long enough!