Chickens and other wildlife.

[HedgeHugger]

So, I have a pond. My chickens free range in the garden.
Last year I had tadpoles briefly. The chickens used the pond like a floating diner and sucked up all the taddies. Was surprised, but learnt something new there.

Usually have lots of frogs and toads. Have caught my chickens inviting kermit for dinner, with the frogs as the main course. I understand that frogs would probably form a part of a natural diet, as would insects etc

My husband had to rescue a goldfish the other day!
Apparently the fat old chicken was like lightening and whipped the goldie out of the pond and streaked across the garden!
The fish have some sense now and are laying low in the water.

My chickens have been around the pond for a few years now, but this year they seem to spy it as a food source :(

Yesterday they reached new lows and committed birder (rhymes with mur.der!).
Caught one of them with a small bird dangling from their beak (luckily dead when I saw it).
Small birds and chickens have been in the garden together for years and they've never shown any interest in each other. I was horrified! Not sure why or how, young inexperienced sparrow maybe? Is my chicken just a savage or is it a common thing to eat small birds?

[Mo]

Hens are certainly not vegetarian. They'll go after anything that moves.

[lancashire lass]

need I say any more? click to see ... proof ....

[HedgeHugger]

I've always said they are very dinosaur like, especially when they were younger.
Was still surprised she caught and ate the bird though.

[kitla]

I think it depends on the chooks, perhaps ex batts & certain breeds are more apt to attack things. I also think if one of them starts it the others may copy. I used to keep an extra pellet feeder by the house, it was often visited by starlings with their fledglings & my chooks didnt bat an eyelid, they even ignored the mice that stole food in front of them.
This is Tiny the Dorking sharing the feeder with a fledgling

[bikesandbirdsbob]

Hi , Partnership , cat kills the creatures and the chickens eat them .
Fledglings that fall from nests are game. If the food is in short supply they chase the sparrows . Also boredom plays a part.Lara and Marian used to be great fisher girls but only see them eating the floating stick food.
They have a horrible side to them unfortunately ,not particular as eat each other given the chance.
Bob

[Powyswales]

Hi all, how do you find the chickens with the pond, do you worry he chickens may fall into it, I have a small nature pond in the centre of my front garden, about 3ft by 2ft and 18 inch deep. Hoping I do not need to remove pond.

[Willow]

If it's a nature pond and has gently sloping 'non slippy' edges so that hedgehogs and birds can drink and get out if necessary , the chickens should be ok.
Chickens feathers aren't particularly waterproof - as you'll see when you have a load of bedraggled looking ladies after they've been out in the rain - so if a chicken does fall in to a body of water, she'll quickly get waterlogged & can drown , hope this helps x

[Willow]

Hi all, how do you find the chickens with the pond, do you worry he chickens may fall into it, I have a small nature pond in the centre of my front garden, about 3ft by 2ft and 18 inch deep. Hoping I do not need to remove pond.

If it's a nature pond and has gently sloping 'non slippy' edges so that hedgehogs and birds can drink and get out if necessary , the chickens should be ok.
Chickens feathers aren't particularly waterproof - as you'll see when you have a load of bedraggled looking ladies after they've been out in the rain - so if a chicken does fall in to a body of water, she'll quickly get waterlogged & can drown , hope this helps x

[HedgeHugger]

My pond has sloped edges for hedgehog and birds to escape if they do take a dunking. The middle is pretty deep though.
They drink out of the pond, as do all the wild birds. Blackbirds bathe in the shallows along with the sparrows. A pond can be a wonderful thing for the birds, as long as they have that escape route.

[bikesandbirdsbob]

Hi , my pond is 6 feet deep and I have fell in it head first so that was an experience not for chickens to copy.
My girls cross the wood bars and peck at the fish food , though since my Marian died they do not take much interest in it .drink the water no chlorine in it.
They balance on the rocks .I worry about the netting though . So far no mishaps.
Natural setting and they know not to swim.
Bob