I was digging up a section of yard to build a tunnel for training terriers and finding tons of those big white grubs. I was tossing them to the chickens as I found them when I came across one that seemed to be tangled in a clump of roots. I started trying to pull the clump of roots off it when I realized they weren't roots . . . they were some sort of parasite spilling out of the grub. They looked like huge white nematodes. I flushed the grub and its parasites down the toilet because I was too disgusted to think to do anything else with it (including, stupidly, to take a picture). I would like to know if anyone has a clue what these parasites were, and if they affect chickens in any way.
I also wanted to ask if anyone feeds leeches to their chickens. I catch leeches all the time, and even though I see other birds eating them I've been hesitant to see how my chickens like them. They aren't exactly as wholesome looking as other bugs I grab for the hens, but then again, I've never seen a leech with repulsive root looking nematode maggots exploding from its belly.
If you can't tell, that thing traumatized me slightly, which is saying a lot since I adore bugs.
I also wanted to ask if anyone feeds leeches to their chickens. I catch leeches all the time, and even though I see other birds eating them I've been hesitant to see how my chickens like them. They aren't exactly as wholesome looking as other bugs I grab for the hens, but then again, I've never seen a leech with repulsive root looking nematode maggots exploding from its belly.
If you can't tell, that thing traumatized me slightly, which is saying a lot since I adore bugs.