HELP! I think my chicken ate 2 roofing nails!

[Msantabarbara64]

I was hanging a sign in my coop and put the two nails to hang it down on a log and now they are missing…I’m so upset…can or will a chicken eat a roofing nail? What should I do? I have 6 hens, have no idea which on or two ate the two nails…didn’t see them eat the nails but can’t find them after I laid them on log…so upset

 

[RubelliteRose]

Yes, they will eat nails if they see them. Mine have tried eating a screw that fell on the ground. Fortunately I was right there and scared her into spitting it out.
Hopefully they didn't actually eat the nails. They sell magnetic sweepers at Home Depot for about $13 if you want to check the area for the nails.
If it helps, one of my hens grabbed a silver earring from my ear and swallowed it about 6 months ago and she is fine. I no longer wear earrings outside...

 

[Artichoke Lover]

It’s certainly possible. And honestly there isn’t much you can do unless you are willing take them to a vet. They might be just fine or they might not. If it makes you feel any better I’m pretty sure mine have eaten staples, glass and plastic before and are just fine. I know with dogs they recommend feeding them bread or bread soaked in water, milk or even oil. But I don’t know if that might do more harm than good with a chicken.

 

[Msantabarbara64]

It’s certainly possible. And honestly there isn’t much you can do unless you are willing take them to a vet. They might be just fine or they might not. If it makes you feel any better I’m pretty sure mine have eaten staples, glass and plastic before and are just fine. I know with dogs they recommend feeding them bread or bread soaked in water, milk or even oil. But I don’t know if that might do more harm than good with a chicken.

 

[Msantabarbara64]

It’s certainly possible. And honestly there isn’t much you can do unless you are willing take them to a vet. They might be just fine or they might not. If it makes you feel any better I’m pretty sure mine have eaten staples, glass and plastic before and are just fine. I know with dogs they recommend feeding them bread or bread soaked in water, milk or even oil. But I don’t know if that might do more harm than good with a chicken.

Thank you

 

[Msantabarbara64]

Yes, they will eat nails if they see them. Mine have tried eating a screw that fell on the ground. Fortunately I was right there and scared her into spitting it out.
Hopefully they didn't actually eat the nails. They sell magnetic sweepers at Home Depot for about $13 if you want to check the area for the nails.
If it helps, one of my hens grabbed a silver earring from my ear and swallowed it about 6 months ago and she is fine. I no longer wear earrings outside...

Thank you

 

[Cazook]

You can try giving molasses mixed with water, or vegetable oil to 'speed up' the digestion and limit the amount of time the nail is in the digestive track. This will limit how much metal might be absorbed (zinc toxicity can be a problem if the nail was galvanized)

 

[Msantabarbara64]

You can try giving molasses mixed with water, or vegetable oil to 'speed up' the digestion and limit the amount of time the nail is in the digestive track. This will limit how much metal might be absorbed (zinc toxicity can be a problem if the nail was galvanized)

Thank you

 

[aart]

First, get out a magnet and try to find the nails.
Roofing nails are pretty big, hopefully that deterred them from eating them.