OMG my chickens ATE Mice, HELP!!!!

[karenerwin]

I too found a dead mouse in the chicken run, thank goodness they didn't eat it. I assumed my silkie male killed it as he hangs out in the run a lot more than the girls. I quickly disposed of it. Kind of freak me out as well. Do you think they didn't eat it since I don't give them meat? Are they more opt to eat the mouse after experiencing raw meat? I kind of treat and feed my chickens as vegetarians. I feel the same way feeding them chicken eggs cooked, could lead them to eat their own eggs?

I don't think it has any bearing. It is probably that they just didn't realize it was (could be) food. Like when you first give the girls a new treat. Sometimes they jump right in and gobble it up, but other times they wait to see if anyone else is going to try it first!

 

[JadedPhoenix]

Chickens are omnivores which means that some meat is good for them. Btw, just because you don't give it to them doesn't mean they haven't had any. They have no doubt eaten worms and bugs already; not to mention mice and lizards that you haven't seen. Likely enough, either the chickens were full, just not interested, or sensed that there was something not right with that particular mouse.

 

[arkiechick lady]

I'll certainly look for the video and others I've recorded. If not those, I'll make another one. The CQ's had one run into their run this afternoon. It's a huge mistake for mice around here!
I'll let you know when I find it

I've been away ill and not able to tend to my babies much. Coming out the other side 2 years later I'm able to start doing it again.
I went yesterday to clean out their waterers when low and behold a brahma knocked over the treat bowl and a mouse tried to make a run for it. It didn't make it but I got 5 mins entertainment watching. I did finally video it and got it up to Utube. Once I figure out how to upload it I'll get it on here.
If you'd love like to see it sooner I named it Mouse Rugby.

 

[Woogerboogers]

When our swifty girl swallowed one whole I sat open mouthed for a while! Lol but she seemed to love it!

 

[bigmrg74]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1725826157720413

Video my girlfriend took of me feeding a horsefly to my girls. Caught him on one of the horses here. The horses and chickens love it when I do this.

 

[OverEasyRanch]

With the 50+ chickens I have now and working from home I have seen the chickens eat any and every small rodent, my cats love catching mice, moles and lizards and the chickens go crazy for the free meal, chickens will hunt down any rodents they find in the pasture as well. Biggest thing I've seen them eat is a 14 or 15inch snake whole!! It was so big the chicken gagged on it and the snake was still moving around so about 8ish inches of the tail was sticking out of the mouth wrapping around the beak trying to prevent its self from being swallowed, about 3 minutes it had the whole snake in and she started strutting around like it was her own birthday cake. I did not think they could digest all those bones and everything else but I kept an eye on her for weeks and she didn't have any issues.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Soon or later the mouse is going to come out the hole. Also good protein makes good eggs. Chickens do what chickens do!

To those who are creeped out by the sight of Mickey or Minnie Mouse disappearing down their chickens pie hole, Do you have similar reactions when your cat eats a mouse or a rat then curls up in your lap and maybe licks your hand?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

... I have seen the chickens eat any and every small rodent... Biggest thing I've seen them eat is a 14 or 15inch snake whole!! It was so big the chicken gagged on it and the snake was still moving around so about 8ish inches of the tail was sticking out of the mouth wrapping around the beak trying to prevent its self from being swallowed, about 3 minutes it had the whole snake in and she started strutting around like it was her own birthday cake. I did not think they could digest all those bones and everything else but I kept an eye on her for weeks and she didn't have any issues.

All the more reason to make sure that your chickens have a good source of grit at all times.

 

[ChickieGirl806]

My hubby is so grossed out that I handed a mouse over to the chickens that now he refuses to eat the eggs. How can I convince him it’s okay?! They also eat the occasional table scraps and veggies and mealworms and other little bugs

 

[bigmrg74]

My hubby is so grossed out that I handed a mouse over to the chickens that now he refuses to eat the eggs. How can I convince him it’s okay?! They also eat the occasional table scraps and veggies and mealworms and other little bugs

Show him this thread here and then have him read the posts here where we call him a sissy from Oklahoma who only eats well done steaks for not eating eggs from hens who had a good source of protein that day to make those eggs.

Peer pressure alone should get him back on the eggs.