Mercury injested...

[Evansville Farm]

I gave some eggs to a school to hatch for me and at a week old they decided to start pecking at the thermometer in the brooder. Unfortunately the teacher didnt notice and by morning half the chicks died from I can only assume mercury poisoning. Been another week and the other half are live and well. Are these chicks safe to bring home to my flock? When they mature would any mercury still be in their system for either eggs or meat? Thanks

 

[nuthatched]

How old is the thermometer? Mercury thermometers are fairly uncommon, most are alcohol filled, also poisonous.

 

[Evansville Farm]

How old is the thermometer? Mercury thermometers are fairly uncommon, most are alcohol filled, also poisonous.

It was super old... came out of grandmas garage...

 

[Evansville Farm]

Well now I read that yes the red is actually alcohol not mercury ... so maybe they're fine then?

 

[Barnette]

Well now I read that yes the red is actually alcohol not mercury ... so maybe they're fine then?

Hopefully I remember in first grade when we had chicks in the classroom. I was the only kid in the class with chickens and my teacher let me teach everyone how to hold them.

 

[nuthatched]

Well now I read that yes the red is actually alcohol not mercury ... so maybe they're fine then?

They dead ones died by alcohol poisoning but the others should be fine.

 

[Smokerbill]

So the chicks actually broke the thermometer and let the alcohol escape?