Grass snake eaten

[Emma sarson]

My 3 hens became very excited when 1 of them found what I think is a grass snake. They squabbled over it and managed to bite off the last third of it before I got it off them. ( suppose the snake may have detached its end as a defence?) anyway one of them, I don't know which one, ate the end. Will this cause any trouble? For the hens I mean, the snake slithered away fine ;-) many thanks

 

[ChickensRDinos]

This is perfectly normal. Hens with catch and eat all sorts of critters -- mice, frogs, bugs, small snakes. Mine even ate a baby sparrow once. Extra yummy protein.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Free protein! My girls love snakes and have been lucky enough to find a few small ones slithering through the run. First time I saw one of them running with an 8 in. snake dangling from her beak, I truly freaked out! The girls played "keep away" with it and eventually tore it apart and each of the three consumed a small share. Luckily, they've never found a copperhead, don't know how that would impact them. But non-venomous snakes are fine for them to eat.

They love frogs, too. Really funny watching them eat those.

 

[Emma sarson]

Thank you so much for your replies. I should have let them have it all !!!

 

[Jackandwhitey]

I would pay extra money for chickens that eat snakes!!

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I am not sure if it is a breed trait or not but my Delaware will eat ANYTHING.