Wyandotte swallowed a salamander

[Dinornis]

Hello there -

I was, a few days ago, hanging out with the chickens and goats as per usual. I was flipping over rocks and logs so they could find all sorts of bugs and worms to snack on, when I happened upon a salamander - most likely plethodon cinereus, the red-back salamander:

(image not mine - credit to photographer Paul J. Fusco!)

Usually when I find salamanders, I relocate them. Not sure if this is accurate, but i've heard all salamanders are toxic to some extent. But before I could relocate this one, one of the wyandottes came up, quickly snapped him up and ate him.

It's been a few days and she doesn't appear to be sick, but again, i've heard all salamanders have at least some toxins in them. I am unsure of the exact toxicity of p. cinereus but I hoped anyone who knows them better than I do would be able to help? I'm not sure if the salamander did as little as give her a bad aftertaste (I sure hope so) or if the toxins are just slow-acting. Any tips?

 

[FortCluck]

Not much in the wild is poisonous to chickens and if it is, they usually don't eat it. I would assume their toxins don't bother chickens, but bother other animals. Chickens are smart, they usually don't go after things that will harm them.

 

[Dinornis]

Not much in the wild is poisonous to chickens and if it is, they usually don't eat it. I would assume their toxins don't bother chickens, but bother other animals. Chickens are smart, they usually don't go after things that will harm them.

pretty much what I thought as well, but I was just checking just in case. Thank you!

 

[austroberta]

My ducks are always eating Salamanders during the rain season. I can never get the poor guys away in time before someone's bill manages to pick them up. So far, none of my ducks seem to be worse for wear because of it.

 

[NewBoots]

The California Newts we get here in Oregon are deadly poisonous to humans and dogs. Don't know if that includes chickens but I wouldn't want to test it.