EileenH Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 I left the feeder out last night for the first time and this morning there were four or five HUGE slugs on it - and two in the food itself. Does this mean that I should bring the feeder in every night? Does this mean that we can`t actually leave them for a short weekend? Are they harmful or is it just the `yeuk` factor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephine77 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 Hi, I remember reading that some members do bring their grubs in overnight for this reason (and for fear of rats) Mind you, apart from being a bit yucky, I wouldn't think the slugs are harmful if you did happen to leave the chooks for a weekend. Hopefully your chooks will get a taste for them and polish them off for brekkie! Jo x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 I thin it is just the yeuck factor. I occasionally find them there too. *Shudder*. Just think of it as extra protein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piptiddlepip Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 My lot won't eat slugs or snails, and they're not that interested in vegetables, either. They'll eat worms like they're going out of fashion, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EileenH Posted September 4, 2008 Author Share Posted September 4, 2008 Thanks for the advice - I`ll try not to shudder too much then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValR Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 I was wondering about the rat problem too. So far (all of 10 days!) I've been leaving the grub out - but maybe it will attract rodents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexgirl73 Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 My lot won't eat slugs or snails, and they're not that interested in vegetables, either. They'll eat worms like they're going out of fashion, though. My girls will eat ANYTHING But slugs have to be their absolute favourite. They fight over them, and if one has one in her beak, the others try to steal it off her. They also toss them up in to the air. It is sooo funny to sit and watch them. And the bonus is that I don't have to deal with the nasty things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted September 4, 2008 Share Posted September 4, 2008 ours won't eat the big slugs, we have to cut up the little horrors before they become acceptable... tiny slugs and snails are fought over and it is funny to watch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EileenH Posted September 5, 2008 Author Share Posted September 5, 2008 Help! I`ve just read on another site that slugs carry gapeworm eggs! If the girls eat slugs when they`re free ranging I don`t know how I can protect them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 I bring my feeders in every night and occasionally have found a slug crawling around in the kitchen the next morning . I try to check the feeders for stowaways now . Eileen, if you Flubenvet your chickens every 3 months or so you shouldn't have to worry. I also use Stalosan F in the run: Unique broad spectrum powdered disinfectant. Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal. Destroys coccidialoo cysts, parasites, worm and fly eggs and larvae. Removes ammonia and hydrogen sulphide and dries out moisture. Non-toxic and suitable for use with all livestock. Apply to litter, bedding areas and around feeders / drinkers. Very effective for prevention of coccidiosis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweecy Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 Hi, I use a suspended hopper feeder and hoist it up to the ceiling of the run at night, it keeps unwanted visitors away, and then I just lower it in the morning when I let the hens out. (Am I allowed to say that?). It is suspended underneath the omlet cover, so doesn't get wet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted September 5, 2008 Share Posted September 5, 2008 I think it`s because all of the awful rain. (will it EVER stop? ) This morning I picked six HUGE slugs out of the run, two of which were in the food grub. I hate them and I don`t think the chooks like 'em too much either. I put mine into the garden composter?? Don`t know why I did that , just hope they expire in there... Think I will take the feeder in at night and see if it makes any difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drliz Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 only a few slugs... you lucky thing. yesterday i found 16 of the b*ggers in there - huge great things - i shouldn't think the chickens could even contemplate eating them - they are made of tyre rubber i think! That's in addition to the marauding hoardes of the beasts that i have to wade through each evening to put the chooks to bed. I want to know if the slugs are actually eating the food - or have the chickens got a much bigger appetite now they are all laying ?? Altogether now Slugs slugs OUT OUT OUT!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAPPYCLUCKER Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 I have only had my ladies 2 weeks now but have noticed food going down quicker! I decided to investigate last night gettin worried about unwanted visitors and found 23 huuuge orangy ones and 4 snails! My ladies are messy beggars and enough food under grub to feed an army! I have wood chippings in run so not easy to clear up, have thought about a tray under grub! Any suggestions welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 My ladies are messy beggars and enough food under grub to feed an army! I have wood chippings in run so not easy to clear up, have thought about a tray under grub! Any suggestions welcome! I think some people use a plastic tray, but my messy bunch would probably tip it over. I've put a half size slab under the feeder which collects most of the pellets and can be swept off easily. Also try moving the grub up a bit or down a bit and you might find less mess depending on where it is positioned. For mine, the lower it is, the more mess! Hopefully yours will develop a taste for slugs. Two of mine like them and play 'tug of war' with them.....one end each until it's a bit more bite size, great team work....but it's yuck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobermory Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 I think our ladies may have eaten a couple of slugs today, they are still very new so I'm not sure what they like but I really hope they like slugs because we have lots in our garden and I'm quite phobic about them! Do most people bring their feeders in at night? That hadn't occured to me but I definitely don't want rats marauding around the garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAPPYCLUCKER Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 thanx Sandychick have just been out and dug up all bark and put a Slav down, hopefully that will help, I will move grub higher too thanx for tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Do most people bring their feeders in at night? That hadn't occured to me but I definitely don't want rats marauding around the garden! It seems like a good idea but depends how practical it is. I am hopeless at getting up in a morning, always run about the house, late for work, utterly disorganised and forgetting everything. I'm too worried I'd forget to put the food back out again. I'm sure I could forget to feed the cat if she didn't meow at me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 how about old wooden drawer my clumsy girls don't tip that over or but heavy flat stone on bottom of plastic tray. yuk going all odd, all this slug festing!! Got a suspended one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 I've never had this problem until a week ago. I suspended the feeder with a hook and hung it off one of the drain holes on the cube, under the poop trays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piptiddlepip Posted September 9, 2008 Share Posted September 9, 2008 When I was at the chook feed shop the other day I noticed the chooks he's selling out in the barn have their segmented feeders on a string attached to the room of their shed. We thought that was a darned good idea, so gave it a go. It's MUCH better. no slugs in the feed, no poo in the feed, and less feed all over the floor because Esme likes to hook the segment bit with her food and spin it around! Having said the other day that my chooks don't eat slugs, well, they do now! Last night Maggie found the biggest slug ever behind the compost bin and was running around with it in her beak, hotly chased by the other four, up and down the garden while she tried to gobble it down! I was in tears of laughter, it was one of the funniest things I'd ever seen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
