Feeding chickens raw meat???

[Farm girl 1465]

Ok the butcher was out the other day to butcher our cows...
my husband wanted to keep the head of one of the cows who has nice horns...the butcher said just give the chickens the head and they will clean it up in no time!!! This is a whole cow head brains and all!

I am quite grossed out by this!!! I have 4 pullets who are about 6 months old they just started laying and are great!!! I am very reluctant to give them this head...My mother in law said "Oh yea! They will love it!!!" I won't let my husband give them the head until I check this out !!! So please any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! In the mean time the head is sitting out there!!!

 

[snugglepup]

Alright. First I have to say... Ew!

Ok, second... they probably will love it. They do eat bugs and worms and slugs and such, which are really just raw meat in a small package.

 

[TerrasCritters]

I read today someone feeding there chickens raw meat.
Some people eat it without effect. (not me!)
Mice would be a raw meat. I am told the chickens go NUTS over mice and pinkies! Never tried it though.

 

[silkiechicken]

Well, it's fresh... so should be fine... I eat raw beef sometimes...

 

[devora]

We tossed 'em some raw buffalo a few days ago. They sure dug it. The whole head? Sound icky and fascinating. "My, they seem to love the eyes...." Take pix for us to enjoy.

 

[SeaChick]

Yeah, pictures. Just in time for Halloween!!!!! (Maybe you should set up a pen/display in your front yard for the trick-or-treaters..... that would be REALLY gross & spooky!)

 

[MissPrissy]

Chickens love meat. They will love your cow head. You will probably see a difference in your yolks. The added protein will make them stand up a little taller, won't break as easy and the color will improve.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Make your husband give it to them.

Don't watch.

Have him tell you when it's finished.

Try not to think about it.

Have nice cup of tea, read a book or watch a movie. Or go shopping!

 

[JudyMcKinn]

I doubt that 4 chickens can clean up a cow head before it goes rank. You could let them try, then when you don't think it is decent for them to be chowing down on any more, boil a large pot/tub of boiling water and toss in the head. That should cook off the rest of the ......meat and stuff......that is left, so you can clean off the bone.

 

[wegotchickens]

Native Americans used to put dead turtles on an anthill and let the ants clean them up (to make rattles out of). So I would let the chickies feast on the head for a while (no, they can't eat it all fast enought) and then find an anthill to leave the rest on.

Or, clean as much off the head as possible and THEN let the hens finishe the clean-up duties.