chickenopolis Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Help.... Glo and Flo our lovely ladies seem to think that cabbage white butterflies and/or their caterpillars might make a tasty snack, but I am sure I have read that they are poisonous to chickens - does anyone know if this is true, or whether I have made it up??? Glo and Flo are 6 months old and Glo likes to chase butterflies and even tries to jump up to catch them.. Can anyone shed any light on this please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 I've not heard this one - could be possible but chickens usually steer clear of things that aren't good for them. At least that's my experience. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenopolis Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share Posted August 19, 2009 Thanks Tricia. We've only had the girls for a month and are completely smitten with them; might have to carry on "shooing" the butterflies away - am sure the neighbours think we are mad. Husband had to manhandle Flo when she had a caterpillar hanging out of her beak, that she had so lovingly swiped from my cabbages! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Mine do try to catch butterflys, but never succeed: the butterflys are too agile and fast for them. I fence my veggies off as otherwise the chickens destroy them! But I've never heard of caterpillars or butterflys being poisonous for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 One of my hens chases cabbage white butterflies and occasionally catches and eats them, too So does one of my cats! Both seem okay. I'm not worried about it. How could you stop them anyway? Saronne x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Some cabbage whites got into my greenhouse and I am now finding the offspring munching their way through my tomatoes I feed them to the chickens - caterpillar on tomato = yummy chicken treats Mine can't catch the butterflies though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenopolis Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share Posted August 19, 2009 Thankyou for your responses - will just let Flo and Glo "do their thing". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Egeltine and the Dorking lads spend all day around my massive buddleia in the garden, waiting to pounce on any butterflies. They're gross The Brahmas have got a thing for bees too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Egeltine and the Dorking lads spend all day around my massive buddleia in the garden, waiting to pounce on any butterflies. They're gross The Brahmas have got a thing for bees too Romanas favourite spot is by the buddleia in the hope she can catch herself a butterfly too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Ours seem to have acquired a taste for Orange Underwing Moths!!!!!!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet88 Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 I have heard they are poisonous too. I have loads of the catterpillars on the veggie patch but decided not to give them to the hens just in case! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pheonix Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 I have just been reading on an American website that as a general rule the hairier the Caterpillar is the more poisonous they are. I was looking as my chicks are on someones allotment and the cabbages are right by my chicks, the Caterpillars are everywhere, lots of fun for them lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
