We have 11 laying hens. i unfortuntately found one of our wyndotts dead in the coop 2 days ago. it was close to dark when i found her and it was soft soil so i buried her quickly where she lay. today i went out to find that she had been dug up! I couldnt quite believe it and again, being in a hurry and getting ready for company I quickly reburied the bird under a good bit of soil. 2 hours later I went outside to find the decomposing bird dug up again - this time 2 of my hens were around the decomposing bird, picking and pecking at her. I thought a cat had gotten in the coop but it was actually my hens who were digging her up! the dead chicken was decomposing smelly and filled with maggots. I took a shovel and buried her good outside the coop. i feel so stupid. i had no idea the birds would do this. Now I am afraid my flock might get sick. my friend told me a story that if a chicken eats a dead bird like this = i have to kill the flock. is this true? we have 11 hens. one is my daughters pet. it will be horrible if i have to do this. can someone shed some light here.
Chickens are carnivores. And I've never heard of anyone saying you had to kill your flock because they ate something dead!! I would keep and eye on them but I don't think you have anything to worry about!!
thank you for your reply and I sure hope your right! The Randall Berkey company is literally right round the corner from us. I am goign to try to go and talk with mr. Berkey Monday am too.
Normal behavior. I'm sure their little chicky DNA tells them, "when you smell decomp, there are maggots, YUMMY!"
