ails Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 I went out into the garden this morning to say hi to the chooks before I started work and thought it was really unusual for them not to come racing across the garden to see if I had any treats! I spotted the 3 of them in a corner, all quite engrossed in something. To my horror there was a large dead pigeon lying on the ground and all 3 chickens were pecking at a gaping wound on its neck. I ran to grab a shovel and a bin bag to dispose of the pigeon but the grils were not keen to be shooed away. Nothing usually phases me but between the sight , smell and I guess the heat it took all my will power to keep my breakfast in place. I don't think the pigeon had been there last night but I guess with the curent heat it wouldn't take long for bugs and maggots to find the bird and I guess the chooks had zoned in on those bugs or maggots or whatever else on the pigeon Anyway the girls are now doing a good job of reminding me just how cute and innocent they are by cuddling up in the sunshine in their self made dustbath. The joy of keeping pets ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Sorry to spoil your illusion, but they were interested in eating dead pigeon, not in eating any bugs that might be on it! Chickens are not vegetarian. See this thread for other examples! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Just think of it as a protein boost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 When I watch our chooks running, Tyrannosaurus rex springs to mind. Dinosaurs didn't die out they just morphed into Chickens........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 Mine have eaten a dead baby blackbirds head, a dead bluetit and mice lately. They were having battles over them all as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headchicken Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 When I watch our chooks running, Tyrannosaurus rex springs to mind. Dinosaurs didn't die out they just morphed into Chickens........ My husband and I made that observation this weekend as we watched to flock run across the back yard! Boy...how did science not realize this a lot sooner than it did? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 When I watch our chooks running, Tyrannosaurus rex springs to mind. Dinosaurs didn't die out they just morphed into Chickens........ My husband and I made that observation this weekend as we watched to flock run across the back yard! Boy...how did science not realize this a lot sooner than it did? But at least Dinosaurs, didn't scare your Jack Russells, tap on your back door and try to trip you up........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McChook Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 We always refer to our girls as 'The Raptors' - they're just one small evolutionary step away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigopurple Posted June 29, 2009 Share Posted June 29, 2009 i am so with you on the dinosaur thing!!!! my chickens were chasing the pidgeons in the garden tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_blackwell1 Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 When I watch our chooks running, Tyrannosaurus rex springs to mind. Dinosaurs didn't die out they just morphed into Chickens........ My husband and I made that observation this weekend as we watched to flock run across the back yard! Boy...how did science not realize this a lot sooner than it did? I think it's a generally well held scientific theory that dinosaurs evolved into birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 If our hens suddenly turned BIG tomorrow (I mean T-Rex big) do you think they'd still think of us as their beloved chicken mothers? Or do you think they'd trample each other to eat us?! Saronne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 My hens already try to eat my extremities, and if I had been small I would have been gobbled up long ago. Hens love meat more than anything, particularly carrion like that pigeon. They have very strong stomachs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BocBoc Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Not surprised you felt sick! I wondered why our girls were hovering around our brown wheelie bin the other day......maggots! Gross. Thank goodness it gets emptied today *shudders* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro1962 Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 If our hens suddenly turned BIG tomorrow (I mean T-Rex big) do you think they'd still think of us as their beloved chicken mothers? Or do you think they'd trample each other to eat us?! Saronne The stuff of nightmares!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Oh I've no doubt that if I should die falling over a deckchair in the garden then my chickens would start on me! The younger ones would lead the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minky Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Hummm, just lately Hilda has taken to chasing Pigeons - I often see her with her head down running at any that land on the lawn. I had taken this to be a result of her spotting them nicking 'her' food, but now you guy's have put a far darker suspicion in my mind I find no matter how hard I try to mind edit their behaviour to the cuter side of life, they always tend to ruin it. I spent a lovely few minutes watching Enid skipping round the garden with a butterfly, until she scarfed it in one *sigh* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BocBoc Posted June 30, 2009 Share Posted June 30, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
