Mouse in crop

[h2olilee]

I'm just curious...When a chicken eats a mouse whole, how long does it stay in the crop? Does it have to break down before it moves through? Can it cause an impaction? Thanks for any info!

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

I can't help but why in the world is your chicken eating mice and whole at that

 

[StinkyAcres]

I can't help but why in the world is your chicken eating mice and whole at that

Chickens will eat whole dead mice, birds, snakes, etc.

 

[Brooks_]

If it was small enough to be eaten whole, most likely fine.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Chickens will eat whole dead mice, birds, snakes, etc.

Oh my. Mine don't but they probably would if they had access I guess

 

[InterestingChickens]

Chickens will eat whole dead mice, birds, snakes, etc.

Chicken will eat live mice.

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Chicken will eat live mice.

Won't it bite/eat its insides

 

[Rmallen]

I have caught my girls eating Lizards and Mice...they have always been just fine! I wouldn't worry

 

[cherrynberry]

I'm just curious...When a chicken eats a mouse whole, how long does it stay in the crop?

Generally not more than a few hours. Ideally, chickens should have an empty crop in the morning (before food), and chickens digest food pretty fast so its not usually an issue.

Does it have to break down before it moves through?

Yes, as with anything else. If a chicken has access to grit, it shouldn't be an issue.

Can it cause an impaction? Thanks for any info!

I wouldn't think much of it. Fibrous foods are much more likely to cause an impaction. Which is obvious since fiber is a carb that the body can't digest.

 

[InterestingChickens]

Won't it bite/eat its insides

Usually in the case of a mice it will run with the prey in it's mouth calling to other chickens that it has food. The other chickens will come over and help break up the mice. By the end it will be no more. Exept for my chickens, as they are scared of rats and mice.