SillyClucker Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 Found a dead Slow worm in the run - it had its head and tail bitten off. Would the hens be responsible, Is this unusual?? I like slow worms and i wouldn't want anymore to be killed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 How unusual. I suppose the chickens would have eaten it. A free meal in their eyes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley H Posted October 8, 2006 Share Posted October 8, 2006 My girls eat worms in a similar way - but don't normally leave a thing...my guess would be that it tasted yeuch and it won't happen again...they learn very quickly what they do and don't like!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SillyClucker Posted October 9, 2006 Author Share Posted October 9, 2006 if they thought it was a snake do you think they would have instinctively tried to attack it?? Thi slow worm was about 9" long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley H Posted October 9, 2006 Share Posted October 9, 2006 not sure - i would guess not - but who knows...more likely the chicken hoover gene kicking in!!!! try anything once (or twice) one of mine has wee bum and i'm fairly convinced it was caused by her love of daddy longlegs. she ate loads of them - chasing them around the garden. i've since heard that they are very poisonous but normally cause no harm as have no teeth so can't pierce skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SillyClucker Posted October 9, 2006 Author Share Posted October 9, 2006 not sure - i would guess not - but who knows...more likely the chicken hoover gene kicking in!!!! try anything once (or twice) one of mine has wee bum and i'm fairly convinced it was caused by her love of daddy longlegs. she ate loads of them - chasing them around the garden. i've since heard that they are very poisonous but normally cause no harm as have no teeth so can't pierce skin. had to laugh, the crane flies got a good bashing in our garden from the chooks. Its amazing how fast the chooks can leg it when they feel the need. Also i am guilty of catching the CFlies in the house and keeping them to feed to the chooks - am i really cruel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 Also i am guilty of catching the CFlies in the house and keeping them to feed to the chooks - am i really cruel Yes - as cruel as CTB - I caught him in the act of raking throught the dead leaves with a stick to find woodlice for our two girls, he was picking them up one by one and hand feeding them to the chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley H Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 hands up - I am guilty of feeding them some from the house - much to the horror of my friends as I am a vegetarian!!!! Hubby is always looking for woodlice to feed them-thier favourite. I love it when chickens run - it's hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 I turn over bricks and big stones while Beauty waits to see whats underneath - the other 2 havn't twigged what we're doing yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 If it was dead they would definately have had a go. I've not seen one but when I googled they seem big. Chickens have eaten frogs and mice on the forum before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 We had a pile of rotting logs in a corner,& when we examined them,they we swarming with woodlice. We put a couple in the chicken pen & they were descimated within 20 minutes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 Ours are complete maniacs when it comes to anything that is live and if they were to come across a slow worm i think the slow worm would be in trouble!!!! Mildred had a lovely huge caterpillar the other day...........i had to lift her up so she could reach it. They also make very light work of a huge stag beetle that was unfortunate (stupid) enough to enter their run.........they ripped it to pieces and chased each other for bits of it! Mildred also makes a weekly inspection of their house when i open it up and she "removes" any small bugs which may have trespassed into her house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted October 10, 2006 Share Posted October 10, 2006 Mildred also makes a weekly inspection of their house when i open it up and she "removes" any small bugs which may have trespassed into her house I'm grateful when they remoe the nasty slugs and things for me, they give me the creeps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
