OMG my chickens ATE Mice, HELP!!!!

[Betsy57]

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.

Mine are sometimes afraid of bugs when they're that young. They'll grow out of it. It is entertaining to see the chickens and ducks chasing after bugs.

Try whatsthatbug.com. I identified many insects from that site. If your girls did not eat it they probably know better, it could be toxic.

 

[birdman55]

they eat anything that moves thats not to big...worms, bugs, moths, bees, even snakes...i was on the lawn mower and seen the chickens going crazy over something and here it was about eight inches long...a snake.....crazy but they tore it apart and all had a meal

 

[KristineY]

Thank you for understanding my yuck factor. I actually had to sit down for a minute after it happened. I have always had a weak tummy and wasn't at all prepared for that, lol!

I know the feeling!! I use a horse stall for injured birds and moved a bucket one day and under was a nest of about a dozen baby mice. The limping chickens dashed over and annihilated them in seconds. I was horrified!!

 

[Ibicella]

Sure thing. This is what I have my birds for...pest control! If they think they can fit it into their crops, they'll try to do it! This includes birds, mice, snakes, frogs, and anything else. Frequently their eyes are bigger than their beaks. *L* A feeding frenzy of chickens is quite surprising the first time you see it. Sorry they squicked you out.

I often joke that chickens are the Vikings of the bird world. *L*

 

[Carpenter Coop]

I learn something everyday
Anticipating the future

 

[bigmrg74]

Sure thing. This is what I have my birds for...pest control! If they think they can fit it into their crops, they'll try to do it! This includes birds, mice, snakes, frogs, and anything else. Frequently their eyes are bigger than their beaks. *L* A feeding frenzy of chickens is quite surprising the first time you see it. Sorry they squicked you out.

I often joke that chickens are the Vikings of the bird world. *L*

Just need to add some chain mail and a battle ax here....

 

[Carpenter Coop]

Lol that's awesome

 

[The Yakima Kid]

Just need to add some chain mail and a battle ax here....

OK. Where's the fat hen who has to sing?

 

[ochochicas]

Sure thing. This is what I have my birds for...pest control! If they think they can fit it into their crops, they'll try to do it! This includes birds, mice, snakes, frogs, and anything else. Frequently their eyes are bigger than their beaks. *L* A feeding frenzy of chickens is quite surprising the first time you see it. Sorry they squicked you out.

I often joke that chickens are the Vikings of the bird world. *L*

I was shocked when my 3 day old chick swallowed a whole kernel of corn. It fit in his crop so down it went. At 10 days they dug up a worm in their pen and fought over it...tore it into three pieces and chased each other around for about 10 minutes. After they ate it, one of them picked up a stick and they all thought it was the worm and started chasing him all over again. It was pretty funny.

 

[Carpenter Coop]

I had no idea of how entertaining they are