4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[henpen]

We finally got our hens last Friday and they're settling in well. Yesterday pm my daughter fed them corn and Lottie and Edna fed from the bowl!

 

I would love to get them to eat the horrid slugs we have all over our garden - they seem to be getting worse each year. I even caught some slugs eating the garlic growing in our vegetable garden!!

 

I've tried putting slugs in the run for the chooks, but none of them seem interested, although they're happy finding worms and other insects. Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do, or do I just need to be patient?

[katieadams]

Mine wouldn't eat the ones I gave them either, but I've seen them going mad for them if I move a pot or something. I think they just prefer the pick your own approach!!

[stoice]

My Betty (RIP) was a slug eater. Only the little ones though - not the big black or orange jobs! My other three are not so fussed, especially now Betty is no longer with us. When she was tucking in though, the other girls would have a go so not to miss out. Maybe they just don't like them or one is afraid to be the first to try them.

[Egluntyne]

Mine don't like the big black and orange ones but fight over any other sort.

 

Don't forget that slugs act as intermediate hosts for some of the intestinal parasites that affect hens.

[Chucky Mama]

I think that the black ones are too slimey. We had a hedgehog that just could not get to grips with them as they give off so much sticky horrible slime. I guess it is the same with chickens. They will probably enjoy the smaller ones. Mine I have discovered love woodlice.

[Hen Watch]

My lot hate slugs. They sometimes peck and puncture the big horrid ones but that's about all.

 

Mine seem to be fussy. Flying ants are tasty but normal ants are not. Worms and maggots are gobbled up. Frogs are a delicacy........

[Plum]

All you have to do to get them to eat slugs is to demonstrate it. only joking

[Guest]

mine don't eat them either which I'm quite happy about cos of what egluntine said but I did catch Eleanor chomping on a dried up one the other day! You know when it rains and they come out of hiding then the sun comes out and dries them into a squishy lump? And there she was, gobbling it down!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Mine don't like them either - or snails .

[*mummy_hen*]

All you have to do to get them to eat slugs is to demonstrate it. only joking

 

that made me chuckle!!!

[Chickvic]

Made me only joking. My girls will eat the little ones - thay peck at the larger slugs and then leave them alone

[Snowy]

I know it's gross, but you have to show then 'what's inside', especially the big leathery ones. I started by treading on the snails for them - now they don't need any help and can deshell a large snail with no trouble. I haven't got the guts to squish a big slug but my old , Florrie, showed the others by pecking one open and now they are all ace slug busters.

[henpen]

Thanks everyone for your advice.

 

Like your suggestion Snowy Howells. It shouldn't be a problem showing them what's inside, since my son 'enjoys' squishing snails and slicing slugs in half!?!

[blackgold]

mine batter slugs on the ground a couple of times, I think to kill them... I am worried now about the intermediate host though ugh... Love Sue xxx

[Snowy]

mine batter slugs on the ground a couple of times, I think to kill them... I am worried now about the intermediate host though ugh... Love Sue xxx

I do make sure I worm them properly with flubenvet, at least every 6 months, more if necessary (although I have never seen any evidence of worms yet). I'd hate to deprive them of their sluggy treats, and I take great delight in knowing they are scoffing the beasties that eat my garden

[Yorkshire Pudding]

Ditto!

 

Mine love them, but not if they are presented like a treat - they prefer to hunt the slimy monsters down and tweezer them out of their hidey-hole with a beak before guzzling them.

Then they wipe slimy beaks on the grass before going back to business.

 

 

I took the bottom hatch off the compost heap the other day, and Flossie shot across the garden like a white feathered Exocet to grab a slug off the inside of the hatch. We don't call her Flossie-raptor for nothing!

 

 

I have also discovered that the compost heap, being a bit dry, was full of ants sho were nesting. I found the cure - remove the lid and show the hens the ants and larvae. Result, fewer ants, well-stirred compost and full chickens!

[Chucky Mama]

Flossie shot across the garden like a white feathered Exocet to grab a slug off the inside of the hatch. We don't call her Flossie-raptor for nothing!

 

high speed chickens make me laugh.