Can a chicken eat too many earthworms

[hithere753]

I recently had a hen get sick and pass and am watching the flock for signs of distress. All but 1 has stopped laying, I noticed a drop in pellet consumption and am trying to decide if it is because they are eating less because they are ill or overeating worms. The girls discovered my garden bed and were pulling worms out at a rate of 3 worms per min for a bit. The next day I noticed that they did not eat as many pellets the next morning. Are they waiting for the evening so they can eat worms or are they ill? Should I limt the time on the garden bed to reduce worm consumption?

 

[TaylorHobbyFarms]

I have been told that earthworms can carry blackhead, which is a greater problem with turkeys than chickens, but can still be a problem with chickens. Truthfully, I don't know a whole lot about the disease, but I would definitely try to curtail an excessive earthworm eating binge.

 

[7L Farm]

Sounds like you range your chickens. I don't see how you could control them from eating the worms.I think chickens are pretty smart about what to eat & how much. Chickens seem to eat a diversified diet at least mine do. They chase grasshoppers awhile then start eating grass for awhile & so on. Their constantly pooping so nothing stays in their system very long.

 

[Sylvestor12]

For worm curbing, I'd put up a fence around your garden to keeep them out until you can call them so they don't eat too many and you want to keep worms in your garden because it's good for the soil. Signs of Blackhead are drooping tail feathers, weight loss, legarthic, slightly watery poop, droopy head, and droopy wings. They look overall deppressed. There is a cure but I'm not sure what it is. Hope she pulls through!

 

[Sylvestor12]

What were the symptoms of your 1 sick hen that passed?