OMG my chickens ATE Mice, HELP!!!!

[bigmrg74]

Yes, the joke around our place is that we better not fall down while inside of the coop because the chickens would be all over us.

Rather than T-Rex, we refer to them as velociraptors.

Yeah, that probably would be a little more accurate description of them. The T-Rex was probably more likely a solo hunter, Velociraptors a little more likely to hunt in a pack, like a flock of chickens.

It really did make me think of that earlier today when I was sitting down eating some watermelon out in the coop today. I was spitting the seeds out to the girls and they were getting impatient about the arrival of more seeds. Pretty sure I shouldn't sit out there to do that unless I get a stool to sit on.

 

[Chickenchick11]

I found a dead mouse in the coop a couple weeks ago. All my birds are alive so I'm not worried just grossed out.

 

[ochochicas]

If you have a weak stomach, you probably shouldn't read my reply.

We live on a farm and have 4 or more cats at any time. We raised our original chicks in the house with the cats so the cats think the chickens are their "babies". The cats will go out at night and catch things and leave them for the chickens. I've seen the chickens peck at dead rodents, but not devour anything. One morning I found the remains of a rabbit - the cats ate most of it and left the intestines and other bowel parts in the driveway. I let the chickens out and then went to clean up the driveway. Too late! The chickens had cleaned up for me already. LOL Kind of gross but at least nothing went to waste.

 

[deacons]

Mine are ruthless around mice, moles, voles, etc.- this winter, some poor mice thought the thick straw bedding in the run was pretty inviting. My girls thought so too, and pounced on the mice like cats. Then an animated game of keep-away followed, and they really did eat the whole thing.

I've also seen them go after baby birds that fell out of the nest- that seemed more disturbing to me.

 

[Newchickey]

Not necessarily smaller and slower is a meal! As i was sitting in the run visiting my flock today (8 weeks old almost) a number came running past me to the wire all of the run, I turned and saw a decent size black flying beatle with two red spots on its back and red on the end of its antenna. I have never seen anything like it, 6 came at different times when they saw the movement and jumped up to get it, took a look at it and went the other way! lol They could have easily gotten it, I have seen them eat beatles. They all said no way, I gotta admit I thought he looked scarey to! I have tried to find it by googling different ways and I cant find anything that looks like it. I live in Nebraska Panhandle, anyone have any idea what this thing might have been? Hard looking shell, but had wings, shiney. Red on back and end of Antenna.

 

[sn0wwhite]

Oh I've started referring to my chickens as viscous little monsters. Last week they caught a bird in the yard and tore it apart like the wishbone at Thanksgiving.

 

[karenerwin]

I had a rooster that I saw eat a small snake. The snake was about 15 inches long. I was pretty amazed. We no longer have that rooster, but it was because he was so mean to people. He drew blood on me 1 too many times. I even tried picking him up & carrying him around every time I went in the chicken yard, but that didn't help any. So, even though he was a mighty hunter & snake eater, he had to go.

 

[BoostPsi]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this makes me feel good that my chickens tossing a lizard around isn't odd behavior

 

[The Yakima Kid]

A number of scientists have suggested that the chicken is the closest living relative to Tyrannosaurus Rex (don't know about their status in relationship to Velociraptors.)

Their behavior tends to reflect that. They are truly fierce. Go check out the topic asking people which of six different chickens they would prefer to adopt; one is completely scale less and featherless and resembles the 1960s idea of how T. rex looked, back before they figured out that it was endothermic and probably feathered.

Imagine T. rex as a very large toothed Silkie.

 

[Spoiled Birds]

Yes, the joke around our place is that we better not fall down while inside of the coop because the chickens would be all over us.

Rather than T-Rex, we refer to them as velociraptors.

No joke! We say the same thing. They are some crazy critters and funny to watch. I hope they get the snakes before the snakes get the eggs!