Feeding chickens Gypsy Moth Caterpillars

[PatriotWay]

I recently discovered and researched the gypsy moth epidemic with our trees in the Northeast. My kids found a tree covered with the caterpillars so we decided to feed them to the chickens. They devoured them!! Has anyone else tried feeding them to the chickens? Is there a reason I shouldn't? I go out every morning and collect a bowl full of the caterpillars (Gypsy Moth only) and feed them. It seems like such a great system, free treats for chickens and reducing the damage done to our trees.
Any thoughts? suggestions?

 

[Toons]

Hate to call up an old post but I too was wondering this as well.

Had about 4 nests and was about to burn them when I instead threw them into the coop and check on it later.
No adults remaining. A number of smaller ones are however.

Did they eat them? No idea. But If they can, will enjoy removing those webbed nests even more so.

 

[PatriotWay]

I ended up feeding the gypsy moth caterpillars to my chickens and guinea hens all summer and they loved them! I think what you are talking about are tent caterpillars though. I don't think the Gypsy moth caterpillars create those nests. Either way I'm sure the chickens love them and you are reducing damage to the trees too!

 

[Toons]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_tent_caterpillar

You are absolutely right...
All this time I've been calling them gypsy moths

Thanks for info and correcetion!

 

[PatriotWay]

I just realized how similar the caterpillars look though! I'm starting to see them around again so I will start collecting them for the chickens this summer too... Good luck!
Eliza

 

[craigwg]

Cool. I'd love to find more natural food for my chickens. I just let them wander the yard for a few hours a day. I figure they must be eating something! No idea what though.

 

[SLL1966]

I recently discovered and researched the gypsy moth epidemic with our trees in the Northeast. My kids found a tree covered with the caterpillars so we decided to feed them to the chickens. They devoured them!! Has anyone else tried feeding them to the chickens? Is there a reason I shouldn't? I go out every morning and collect a bowl full of the caterpillars (Gypsy Moth only) and feed them. It seems like such a great system, free treats for chickens and reducing the damage done to our trees.
Any thoughts? suggestions?

My free range hens wander around picking off any low crawling gypsy moth cats off the trunks and seem to enjoy them.

 

[cordell bowman]

I recently discovered and researched the gypsy moth epidemic with our trees in the Northeast. My kids found a tree covered with the caterpillars so we decided to feed them to the chickens. They devoured them!! Has anyone else tried feeding them to the chickens? Is there a reason I shouldn't? I go out every morning and collect a bowl full of the caterpillars (Gypsy Moth only) and feed them. It seems like such a great system, free treats for chickens and reducing the damage done to our trees.
Any thoughts? suggestions?

Everything I read says that chickens will not eat gypsy moth caterpillars, that the caterpillars have hairs the chickens do not like and some said they are poison for chickens. Are your chickens okay? Is this other information actually disinformation?

 

[cordell bowman]

Hate to call up an old post but I too was wondering this as well.

Had about 4 nests and was about to burn them when I instead threw them into the coop and check on it later.
No adults remaining. A number of smaller ones are however.

Did they eat them? No idea.If they can, will enjoy removing those webbed nests even more so.

According to what I have read the nests youi desribe are tent caterpillars, not gypsy moth caterpillars. I want to find out if someone really fed spongy moth caterpillars to chickens and all went well since I have read that gypsy moth caterpillars are toxic to chickenls.

 

[cordell bowman]

My free range hens wander around picking off any low crawling gypsy moth cats off the trunks and seem to enjoy them.

I am so glad to read this. Som online posts say that gypsy moth caterpillars are toxic to chickens. If chickens really enjoy gypsy moth caterpillars, I could probably convince my HOA to allow chickens.