Now I know why they're called chickens

[redinator]

I was doing a bit of yardwork today and dug up a few worms. Well, I thought my nearly 9 week old chicks would pounce at the juicy, wiggling masses but what did they do? They ran like a bunch of . . . . oh wait, they are chickens after all.

 

[BGcoop]

I’ve been keeping chickens for several years now and this spring is the first time I’ve ever seen any of them eat a worm. Snakes? Yes. Mice? Absolutely. Baby mice from a nest they found? A delight. Bugs or chipmunks or each other or anything else really? Ya probably, but worms not so much. Who knew!

 

[redinator]

I’ve been keeping chickens for several years now and this spring is the first time I’ve ever seen any of them eat a worm. Snakes? Yes. Mice? Absolutely. Baby mice from a nest they found? A delight. Bugs or chipmunks or each other or anything else really? Ya probably, but worms not so much. Who knew!

Good to know, I just thought mine were odd, lol.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

My chickens loved worms. I used to dig holes in the run and watch them go to town on the worms. I have no idea what you guys are talking about My chickens also executed a rat though. I found him with his arms over his head and a hole in his belly. The chickens acted like nothing happened while I was at work

 

[redinator]

My chickens loved worms. I used to dig holes in the run and watch them go to town on the worms. I have no idea what you guys are talking about My chickens also executed a rat though. I found him with his arms over his head and a hole in his belly. The chickens acted like nothing happened while I was at work

Mine did give me a funny look, like I was supposed to show them what to do about it . . . I love my chickens, but that's a line I'm not crossing, lol.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I wonder if it’s a brooder baby thing. If they’ve never had an older hen to show them things then you are the hen. That particular rat-murdering flock had a couple older hens in it who might have taught them to eat worms and eliminate trespassers.

 

[500Chickens]

I tried to feed my chickens a cabbage worm on a paper towel and they went for the paper towel...not the worm

 

[Bawkbok]

I used to buy worms at the local fish bait store - spent a fortune on various types of worms, to no avail. They all just looked at them squiggle away and showed no interest. They won't eat worms in the yard either when they see one. Baffling, but ok. I pick up the worms and toss them into the garden.

 

[redinator]

I wonder if it’s a brooder baby thing. If they’ve never had an older hen to show them things then you are the hen. That particular rat-murdering flock had a couple older hens in it who might have taught them to eat worms and eliminate trespassers.

I was thinking this might be it, too. Mine were incubated and hand raised, no older hens to show them what to do.

 

[redinator]

I tried to feed my chickens a cabbage worm on a paper towel and they went for the paper towel...not the worm

Mine go nuts over friggin bottle caps.