Chicken picking at feet

[vickichicky]

Just a quick question!.... I just tried (and failed after 2 days constant feeding) to save a nearly fledged Blue tit

All the others had died (all 8 ) but my neighbour found one still alive and brought it to me as I have chickens and so must know how to look after birds

Anyway I phoned various people to see if they could have it but due to being inundated they just gave me advice on how to try and keep it alive - including the feeding. I have Live Mealworms as a treat for my girls, plus the OH has been training a Robin to eat out of his hand with them....

But they said whatever you do chop their heads off or they can literally eat their way out of the bird OMG slight moment of panic hit me - I feed them to my girls!! But I have for over a year now on and off with no problems.... I have given the chicks the odd chopped up one (luckily) but I wondered has anyone ever had any problems or heard of anything. My brother told me his mates lizard died after the large mealworms (too big apparently) he fed it ate it's insides

I think the girls probably muller it too much for it to survive inside....but?

Vicki

[Bramble]

Oooh, that sounds odd

Surely sparrows etc aren't able to cut the heads of bugs before they feed them to babies?

[vickichicky]

Oooh, that sounds odd

Surely sparrows etc aren't able to cut the heads of bugs before they feed them to babies?

 

Well that's what my OH said about the robin. But I have seen the robbin banging them on the table before he flies off...

maybe stunning them?

But the lady was very adament on the phone about removing the heads and squishing out some of the middle.

I am sure someone would have said by now if they'd ever had any problems - nearly EVERYONE feeds their girlies mealworm treats! Just made me think - especially as one did give me a nip this morning as I cut in half (insert evil laugh ) for my chicks...

[witzend]

don't know about birds but I know loads of people who feed lizards LIVE mealworms without a problem - they sell them by the tub load in reptile shops!

[Chucky Mama]

I am afraid that what you have experienced is typical of most baby birds. They do well for a couple of days and then die unexpectidly on about day 3-5. See my post on baby birds here CLICK. Dried mealworm in baby birds are probably better fed soaked to provide the required amount of fluid that they would get from a live grub. However, as you will read in the linked post, fledgling are best left to the parent bird and mother nature, however harsh it may seem.

 

With regards to chickens, they are fine. Large quantities may make them a little squitty though

[chucknette]

Hi

 

 

When I went to buy my meal worms for the chickens and mario worms for my lizards the guy in the shop asked if I was going to give the mario worms to my chickens. I said no because they will eat their way out of a chicken. He said quite right as not every one knows that. Also places like Wiggly Wigglers and RSPB sell meal worms live for the bird table so they must be ok

[vickichicky]

Thanks Chucky mama - interesting link too. Yes, I wouldn't have taken it even with the others dead (they were maggot ridden) but my neighbour thought she was helping Thanks again.

Chucknette.... what are mario worms?!? And yes that's what I said to the OH - the rspb wouldn't sell them if they were a problem.They mention about not feeding whole peanuts during breeding season and give warnings about raisens and vine fruit being dangerous to dogs so they would say if any probs with mealworms.

Thanks all

Vx

[chucknette]

Hi

 

The marios are chunky and mealworm looking but with a brown and cream stripped body. These ones do nip and I hated handling them. They were also quite fast moving. Mealworms are definately softies compared to the marios.

[Atilla-the-hen]

Perhaps it would be best to feed them dried mealworms and soak them in water which my chooks love.

[chocolateeclaire]

Surely every creature has acidic digestive juices in their stomach so I cant see that anything swallowed would survive

Claire