jasperaliceuk Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 My ginger girl Mimi has laid several lashes, seems to have stopped laying, but seems totally fine in herself. Its been some time (weeks) since she had done either - until I found a small lash and a soft egg in the box this morning. When I come back this evening I found Polly Bluebelle in the nest box. I left her alone for a while then went to check agai. She got up and went outside and within seconds what I think was a lash - don't think it was a softie. The others made a beeline for it and scoffed it PDQ. I am assuming its harmless and will just provide extra protein but it was pretty gross. Polly now seems OK. She hasn't laid for a week or so either. Now I'm suspecting Polly may have laid the small lash but neither have been out of sorts until Polly was today. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenthelibrarian Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 We had a spate of softies [cured with oyster shell, touch wood]. One of mine laid one out in the middle of the grass, I assume it took her by surprise, it broke and the two of them ate the lot while I was scurrying inside for kitchen paper to clean up I reckon that, as you say, they're very economical and don't waste protein or leave stuff that might attract other predators. On the subject of gross, Josephine once caught a mouse and would have eaten it had I not thought she was choking on a large chunk of wood-chip and pulled it out of her beak. Other forum members have told tales of hens eating mice, frogs and even small birds! A while ago I did a WEA class about evolution and our tutor said: "Dinosaurs are alive and well and flitting from tree to tree" I think I have two in my eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasperaliceuk Posted June 7, 2013 Author Share Posted June 7, 2013 Hubby always says they look like mini dinosaurs! Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 They are supposed to be descendants of velociraptors My smallest hen, a large pigeon sized bantam, absolutely adores baby frogs, the trouble is, when she finds one it results in a Benny Hill type chase around the garden, until the unfortunate creature is polished off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Oh yes mine ate a baby mouse and an adult mouse that were around the feeders and also polished of the mouse the cat had just killed - dont tell vegetarians who eat eggs!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 Mine chase sparrows!! Luckily not successfully! Snails are a delicacy and the Jenny hill run is performed - love that image, made me giggle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
