Is it alright if chickens catch and eat mice?

[LittleLola]

okay, the other day my daughter and I where out and about with the chickens and all of a sudden they come running in their enclosed area... I knew one of them had gotten something they didn't want to share... so we walk over to where they are and notice one had caught a mouse!! She ate it whole..after trying to pluck it open I guess... so yesterday my daughter and I were with the silkies again and low and behold one of my EE's had caught a mouse.... she ended up eating it whole as well... Is it alright for them to do that? I suppose that free range chickens would come encounter mice but never thought if they would try and eat them...??

Also... another question...lol I have 2 sumutras pic of them when we first got them is my avatar... anyway... now they are 7 months old now and one has started to lay...which is a good thing. But now she is very aggressive towards the other sumatra sex is unknown by me now... thought it was a boy... cause of the way the feathers where heading but now not sure...??

I have been keeping them with my silkies because I knew that my other chics would just pick on them... so now I have one who is laying eggs and aggressive towards the other sumatra and my young silkie Roo.... Any ideas of what I should do about her?? and shouldn't I be able to tell hat the other sumatra is by now? I have also looked for the spurs that the roos should get but it doesn't really look like "it" has them... If I can take some pics of them today I will post to see what you all think "it" is...?

thanks in advance!

 

[Katy]

Mine think a mouse is a tasty treat!

 

[MissPrissy]

I can't answer the sumatra questions.

The chickens will catch and eat small snakes, lizards, mice, bugs, etc. It is a normal part of their diet. They are omnivors and need meet and vegetation to meat their dietary and nutritional needs. I often give mine meat and meat scraps cooked.

 

[LittleLola]

okay so I am not alone.... I think mine feel the same way.... My hubby said, "Well hey they are darn good mice catchers!! Better than our dog "(who is learning to get them.. )

just notice your post Miss Prissy..

about the sumatras.... but thanks for the info about the mice and so forth

I give them scraps but have never given them any meats... gonna give that a go! Thanks!!!

 

[MissPrissy]

Having access to animal proteins you will see the feathering improve in your chickens as well as their overall general health.

 

[petlove]

My doxie is the resident mouse catcher. It is great to know that chickens are good at it, also. I do have alot of mice. With my dogs I will not use dcon.

 

[featherfooted]

My dogs and chickens have an agreement, the dogs catch and kill the mice and the chickens eat them.

 

[petlove]

Quote:

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Mine have torn up the litter at the back of the coop scratching up mice who have been making nests back there. I have a dirt floor with the pine bedding on top. Now I have a ditch a foot deep where they have dug it up.

 

[mandomama]

Oh! Great! Now I have something to do with the "presents" my cats leave on the porch! Yeah!