Why do chickens eat styrofoam?

[GoodEgg]

My chickens find bits of styrofoam in the yard (somehow!) and run around like mad peeping that they have a wonderful prize. I have a lot of trouble catching them and taking it away. They will do this with mushrooms, bits of pvc, plastic, and anything at all they can find. I didn't know there were so many bits of junk buried in the grass in my yard ...

I'm not sure if I'll ever get it clean enough for them. And I thought the ducks were bad about picking up strange stuff!

trish

 

[silkiechicken]

Maybe styrofoam is like popcorn for them? It can't do anything for increasing egg production. If it did, the commercial poultry producers would have found their new filler!

 

[WSF]

Seems like chickens are naturally attracted to Styrofoam, Well thanks for your help everyone, I'll just keep them in the run until I get my house secured.

 

[bantymum]

Styrofoam is wonderful for use in the coop when chickens start to pick at a hen, ventpick ot otherwise.
They will prefer the styro to pick.

 

[gecklersgirls]

wWell our chickens do it to! We thought at first it might have helped make their stomaches feel more full, but now i think they just like to peck it.