The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: northfifeduckling on May 01, 2013, 01:02:03 pm

Title: they eat that???
Post by: northfifeduckling on May 01, 2013, 01:02:03 pm

I caught my hens out nibbling on my polystyrene plant trays. At first I thought they were just cleaning or sharpening their beaks but within a week all my trays started disappearing. I have now removed them out of sight or binned. Why did they develop an interest in polystyrene and is it bad for them?  :chook:

Title: Re: they eat that???
Post by: Bodger on May 01, 2013, 02:03:04 pm

Look on the bright side, at least they wont sink. :innocent:

Title: Re: they eat that???
Post by: OhLaLa on May 01, 2013, 02:17:35 pm

Polystyrene. Chickens love the stuff.
 
Mine make a dash for the barn when it's DIY time (it's on the back of some plasterboard), they find it and destroy it. I move it but I know they've found a bit more by that familiar crunchy pecky noise it makes.
 
Makes a right old mess too.
 :chook:   :huff:

Title: Re: they eat that???
Post by: Ina on May 01, 2013, 05:55:42 pm

They are probably on a diet. Non-fattening, fills them up nicely.  ::)

Title: Re: they eat that???
Post by: HesterF on May 01, 2013, 11:53:41 pm

The geese are worse though - anything plastic will be destroyed. They seem particularly attracted to the rubbery handle of my trowel which has become a disaster zone.

H

Title: Re: they eat that???
Post by: northfifeduckling on May 02, 2013, 07:49:01 am

I wondereed if it's because it's made from oil (petrol)? I also had to chase them to get some old putty they pecked off a window frame ::)

Title: Re: they eat that???
Post by: graham-j on May 02, 2013, 09:01:52 am

Hi,I haven't got a handle left on a single trug the geese have eaten them all.Polystyrene is a particular favorite as are kingspan insulation boards.

Graham.

Title: Re: they eat that???
Post by: darkbrowneggs on May 02, 2013, 10:19:52 am

Yes - I once had the brilliant idea of insulating a brooder out in the barns - bad mistake  :roflanim: :roflanim: :roflanim:

Title: Re: they eat that???
Post by: graham-j on May 02, 2013, 11:45:33 am

I found out the hard way too. :roflanim: :roflanim:

Graham

Title: Re: they eat that???
Post by: chrismahon on May 02, 2013, 06:51:11 pm

Ours took all the heat insulation tape off the polytunnel frames lying in the floor.

Title: Re: they eat that???
Post by: Hillview Farm on May 07, 2013, 08:40:48 pm

Our chickens love the stuff!