The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: northernengine on July 17, 2012, 09:46:15 am
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Hi guys,
I know my hens are not alone in this, but lately they seem to be catching a fair few. I guess there are plenty of young ones about that arnt so quick, but Iv seen them catch and eat 3 this week alone. Im sure they much catch twice as many when Im not looking.
Usually the hunter will do all she can to keep the others from getting a share, often swallowing it whole. Im sure this cant be good for the hens - they often regurgitate it several times before it stays down, but they never give up.
Is there anything I should be aware of that could cause a problem here?
Cheers
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I have never seen my hens actually catch a mouse, but when the farm cats come with a dead mouse, quite often the hens will run at the cat and grab the mouse and eat it.
I have seen the hens, quite a few times, jump in the grass next to the stream, and come out with frogs, kill them and then eat it.
I suppose to the hen, its food, but it seems strange they will eat things like mice and frogs, to me!! Not sure of the health implications, but doubt my egg customers would be happy if they knew!!! There again, the hens are still here, so cannot have damaged them much, eating strange things.
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I've seen my hens eating mice too, but mainly it's endless baby frogs - and the chase is on. Presumably they can grind them up in their crops. The only possible problem I can think of would be worms, but I have no idea if poultry and mice share their worm species. Someone else is bound to know :thumbsup:
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My speckledy caught a mouse last year; it was hilarious! She ran round and round the run, the tail in her beak, with the others chasing her. She never had a chance to eat it and dropped it in the end. I didn't know they were so quick till then.
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Slow worms are tasty too, to a hen ;D
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Our biggest Orpington caught a baby Robin which landed on the lawn after its fledgling flight. She picked it up and ran off to devour it, chased furiously by me. I caught her, levered her beak open to release the Robin and put it in a safe area. Presumably mummy Robin moved it on from there as it had gone half an hour later.
So I should imagine they do eat mice Northernengine and I've never heard of any ill effects -only snails and earthworms are very bad for them I've heard, because of their internal parasites.
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I've seen it and what a sight that is! It's party time, must be a special treat... :o :chook: :&>
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I've seen my hens eat mice - just keep on top of the worming, free range, comes with the terriorty.
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We always reckon our Scots Greys are better mousers than the flippin cats ::)
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I had hens used to steal mice from the cats.
I should imagine they do eat mice Northernengine and I've never heard of any ill effects -only snails and earthworms are very bad for them I've heard, because of their internal parasites.
Snails and earthworms are their natural foodstuffs, so I guess parasites have evolved to make use of that fact.
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I've seen hens eat mice and frogs, one hen catches a juicy frog and runs around with all the others squabbling on behind it...
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I've seen hens eat mice and frogs, one hen catches a juicy frog and runs around with all the others squabbling on behind it...
we call this effect chook rugby...
when i had mine frogs were popular never saw them with a mouse but then they didnt fully free range just had a large run so maybe the mice new to stay away!!!
As for slugs/snails and worms... they cant get enough of any of them...