metal in gizzards?

[watchdogps]

How long can stuff stay in a chickens gizzard? I processed 15 roosters today, and there were several who had metal bits in their gizzards. I got these birds a couple months ago. They haven't been free ranging, so I know where they have had access, and as far as I can tell, there isn't metal bits available to them. Could this be leftover from their old home?

 

[southerndesert]

Quote:
Yes possibly from before you had them, but they are very good at finding odd stuff while scratching around.

Really shouldn't be a worry in small quantity and works like mill balls in a grinder which is what a gizzard does. We have found everything but a gold nugget over the years and we keep hoping....

I would think metal would last a good spell compared to some other materials.