My chicken ate a black widow!

[chickenmom2016]

After lifting some rocks for my nine sweet girls to get a tasty worm or bug, I noticed one quickly ate a black widow spider. Now I'm scared for my girl, and scared to eat eggs for a while. Am I being ridiculous or have need to be concerned?? Thanks for any advice..

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

I don't know if it will harm them, but if you post your question either in the "Feeding and Watering your Flock" or "Emergencies, Diseases, Injuries and Cures" section of the forum, I'm sure you'll find the answer.

Here are the links: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/12/feeding-watering-your-flock or https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

 

[TwoCrows]

Hi there,

and welcome to BYC!

No, they will not hurt your birds. They can eat poisonous spiders with no problem. Being bitten however is a different story. My girls eat black widows and poisonous centipedes all the time. Disgusting, but ingesting these things does not pose a problem.

Great to have you aboard and enjoy BYC!

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

We're glad to have you. I think that your hen will be fine. My chickens have eaten spiders and centipedes before, and are fine.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! X2, as long as she was not bitten it shouldn't be a problem for her. No reason not to eat her eggs.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Bad for the black widow - good for your hen.

 

[BantamLover21]

Glad you joined us!

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome!

 

[FVRM]

The spider has to inject the venom into the bloodstream. Only TOXIC insects will make them sick not the ones that are venomous. Only chemicals that can get into the bloodstream can make eggs unsafe to eat. It's like saying a cow that eats strawberries will make strawberry milk.