Barnvelder swallowed a screw

[chiefming]

I had a warning 10 minutes earlier, where my silver Dorking noticed I was getting pretty frantic trying get hold of a flat head, inch long screw I dropped near the coop. Couldn't believe how interested she was in getting hold of it, knowing any new item of food put into the run is usually shown no interest at all. Managed to get it back on that ocassion. Dam it I did it again, this time she picked it up and ran off with it. She subsequently dropped it only for a gold laced Barnvelder taking on stupid chicken role. This time the Barnvelder didn't look too interested, but one of the Dorkings tried to snatch it, so the Barnvelder went on to swallow the screw. This all in my view, in a location in the run I couldn't get to. Couldn't believe my eyes. Couldn't have been too appetising. It was totally out of not giving the scew to another chicken and I was trying my best to get it back. Now I have a potentially sick chicken, though at the time she had the look of "any more please" Have read a few threads of other chickens becoming quite sick after eating a screw, but they had invariably eaten quite a lot of metal pieces aswell as screws. Read somewhere also they may have entered and wedged into the gizzard area. The Barnvelders and the Dorkings are 11 weeks old. Thank you for any advice you can give. This is my first thread, so please excuse my lengthy and excitable message, with a hint of ah .. no ...no ah ... you silly chicken / what do I do now!

 

[Chickassan]

I don't think there is much you can do except wait for it on the other end. One of mine ate an earring I eventually got it back.

 

[chiefming]

Thank you Chickassan. Have a home made run, with a temporary coop. Couldn't believe my eyes. Been so careful. If they were fighting over a worm, yes, not a screw!

 

[Chickassan]

They will eat absolutely anything and the more they aren't supposed to have it the more they want to eat it. I can't tell you how many screws, washers, twist ties, mine have taken off with and I've had to tackle them over.

 

[chiefming]

No adverse effects this morning, still bouncing around. A lot more poo around though. Fingers crossed.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @chiefming Welcome To BYC

So sorry for your troubles.

As mentioned there is really not much you can do but wait and see.

I have a magnet that I use when making modifications around the coop and run. Doesn't always catch what I'm doing but helps. I also occasionally sweep my run with the magnet to gather any staples or fasteners that may fallen/loosened off over time. You'd be surprised what can be found, no telling if any of mine have gulped down a foreign object or three

There is an "official name" for what happened to you - it's called Hardware Disease. Here's a couple of articles:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2015/05/hardware-disease-in-backyard-chickens.html
http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2015/07/preventing-hardware-disease-heavy-metal.html