The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Womble on October 19, 2009, 07:04:24 pm
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Some very strange behaviour from our Welsummers tonight. I was digging in the garden, and thought I'd feed them a few worms that I'd uncovered. Now first of all they ran away whenever the worms wriggled, but soon got used to them, and started pecking at the grain I'd scattered around them.
So, to encourage them, I put the worms on a wee tray, along with a handful of corn. They then proceeded to peck off all the corn that was stuck to the worms, but ignored my intended main course entirely!
They still scratch about in the fallen leaves like proper chickens, but what's the point if they won't eat what they uncover!?!
You don't suppose they're vegetarians do you? ??? :o ???
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weird they usually go mad for them. do they normally scratch for food.
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Yes, they scratch about quite happily. They were also outdoor reared as soon as they were off heat, so it's not like they're ex batts or anything!
Our Black Rocks will go to any lengths (or jump to almost any height ;D) for a juicy worm. However, I've noticed they aren't all that keen on slugs (shame, as we've no shortage of the **** things here!).
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Lol!! My chucks did the same with caterpillars, it was funny to watch, they freaked out an ran to the other side of the pen, but eventually ate them so mine arnt veggies ;)
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Yes, mine ran away from the caterpillars too, then they saw the ducks eating them so they joined in - there was plenty for them all, but the caterpillar brothers and sisters disguised themselves long enough to fool me and decimated my veges.
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they don't like leather jackets either. shame we had hundreds.
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Keep at it womble
Mine are having a sprinkling of NZ flatworms every now and then. I'll be really upset if they manage to find one of our precious few pink ones.
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OK Marigold - will keep persevering!
If I can't bring them round to the idea, I'll start sticking the worms in the post to you instead - we have plenty to spare here!
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Yes please - It took 5 years in our last place to build up a good supply.
I could always post your chooks my NZ flat worms in case they prefer the flavour!!!!!!!
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Er, no thanks Marigold (Dan - we need a 'Yuck' smiley! - actually, how about this one? (http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/images/smilies/yuck.gif) )
Actually, I remember finding flatworms in the garden when I was a kid (i.e. 20 years ago I reckon, and before anyone was making a fuss about them). Strange that they haven't made it the 15 miles down the road to our place in that time.
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If the worms were 'brandling' worms.......the ones with the dark rings which live in compost, the hens won't eat them. They have a strange odour which, I think, puts the hens off, although they are great for the fishing. Earthworms are usually eaten with gusto.