Hen ate air gun pellets.

[Grammy60]

Hello and welcome to BYC We are so happy you have joined us.

 

[SegiDream]

Hi and welcome! So sorry about your hen. I think I would toss the eggs sometimes it is just better to be safe.

If the air pellets are magnetic you can use a magnetic pickup tool similar to this one around the chicken area. It's about the size of a golf club and can be found at the hardware store.

Edited to add: even if you sweep the area I would check the area again in case the chickens pass some. Though I worry if pellets could be sitting in their crops...

 

[drumstick diva]

Some very good points SegiDream brings up, I agree with her.

 

[citymeetscountry]

Thank you. Yes, the pellets are lead. I'm not sure if the other 3 hens have eaten pellets.
Also, two of the hens have gotten a little mean to the third hen since Lily died. They pick on her when I put them back in the coop for the night.

I’m not sure how mean they’re being, but they may just be reestablishing pecking order?

 

[janiedoe]

I’m not sure how mean they’re being, but they may just be reestablishing pecking order?

I'm sure that's what is going on. Hopefully they will settle down quickly. There are several articles here on dealing with bullying if it goes on much longer.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Welcome to BYC.
Sorry for your loss.

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry!'
Your birds can be xrayed, and pellets will be obvious if present. Also the eggs can be tested for the presence of lead, although if any bird has lead present, their eggs will very possibly be contaminated.
I hope you've accounted for all that ammunition, so there's no more available.
Mary

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC! I'm so sorry I would probably toss her eggs just to be safe.

 

[N F C]

Hi, sorry for your loss.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us