My chickens are eating insulation!!!!!!!!!

[clarkechick]

I have a lovely fenced yard for my ladies and I love to let them free range, but unfortunately they just CAN NOT stay away from the one thing that they can't have. Under my deck, along the foundation of my house there is some rigid insulation. I have found them under there pecking at it. Initially, I thought it was just exploratory, but I've noticed that there isn't any on the ground. They must be EATING it. I am horrified. I'm doing all I can to shoo them out until I put up some lattice to keep them from going under the deck, but I am worried about the fact that they have already eaten some. Will it pass through them? Will it all get bound up in their crop? Do I need to do anything?

They all seem to be acting normal and healthy, but I am still worried.

Thanks for any help.

 

[kcjones]

I am repeatedly amazed at what my chickens can eat,before i can take it away, silicon caulk, plastic of any kind, cigarette butts. I don't think any of them had any problems passing any of the things i saw them eat.I am hoping they eventually run out of things too dig up in the yard

 

[elmo]

Yup, you need to cover up the insulation so they can't get their beaks on it, and clean up what's gotten on the ground already. It's not good for them to be eating that stuff.

Unless they've consumed a whole lot of it already, they'll most probably be fine, though. Just keep an eye on them for a few days.

 

[M@M@2four]

I am amazed as well..I once saw a hen squat and poop out shards of GLASS!!! She must've found it in the woods somewhere on the property!

She was completely fine and is still living and this was several years ago! I would definitely close them off away from it. Insulation also carries tiny shards of glass...can't imagine that is good for them. Chickens can be so persistent too!

Good luck!

 

[clarkechick]

Thanks everyone. I will certainly be blocking off that area asap and keeping a close eye on them until I do, but it's nice to know that they will probably be fine.

 

[CheerioLounge]

You'd be amazed at the things found in chickens crops!!

 

[Rileysixchix]

We had the flat insulation in the coop covering all the inside roof and every night when they went up to roost, it would be like it was snowing inside because of all the damage they had done to the insulation. We removed the insulation because we were so worried about their health. And now, as winter approaches, we wil most definitely be hitting home depot to get some ply wood to cover up some NEW UNPECKED insulation to keep them warm during those cold nights!

 

[TroutsChicks]

I call "great stuff foam ", chicken popcorn. They will sneak around just to get it...

I have covered it with duct tape...they pecked it off to get to it!! At Lowes they sell a black fiberboard in the building materials aisle...my lowes has it on the concert aisle. its the same stuff you put under a mobile home..anyways its cheap like 10 bucks I would put that up under there. you could cut it with a razor knife and its light. hope this helps

 

[Dutchess]

Quote:
And it's like playing a game of keep away. I had one of my hens try to pick up a nail and eat it. Luckly I was watching them and noticed her, but she did not want to give up that yummy, shiny nail! Eventually, I WON...After a long game of keep away!