Yuck! I found my hens eating a dove. Should I be worried?

[KandJsmama]

This morning I discovered my pullets eating a dove that had fallen out of a tree in our yard. Is this safe? Can they catch something from the meat of the dove? Are there warning signs I should watch for? Thanks!

 

[cluckcluck42]

Pardon me, but I just have to say:

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gsim]

Perfectly normal chook behavior. They like meat which is why they eat bugs. Not to worry. I would not let one of mine eat a starling tho. One guy pposted in predators section that he shot a coon or coyote and slit it open and dropped in the run. He said that by sundown they had finished eating one side and he was going to flip it over for them to do the other side the next morning.

 

[smileyfacecat]

As long as it wasn't diseased I can't see it causing any problems.

 

[Marlinchaser]

I would only worry if you were planning on raising doves.

 

[KandJsmama]

Well we are not planning on raising doves since they eat all our feed! Thanks for the responses. I feel much better. It was definitely and EWWWWW to look at.

 

[Oopoo]

you might want to watch for lice or other bugs, just in case

 

[theFox]

Quote:
Just be thankful that there aren't many Dodge Omnis left after all chickens are Omnivores