There was quite the bit of excitement in my chicken coop this morning. I’ve had a few mice in there… easily remedied with the application of one of my cats. I guess as I moved the grain bucket, a mouse darted out from underneath. A ruckus ensued among the hens.
For many people, they envision chickens as sweet little birds. Let me tell you… they are mini velociraptors! One had caught that mouse and every other hen wanted it! A mass melee ran around the coop. I quickly threw out corn and grain, reducing the number of hens after the mouse by half.
Tug-o-wars were held and I think the mouse possession changed beaks about three times! Finally, an older hen was left to her spoils. I’ve seen hens swallow mice like a snake, gagging it down whole, but I left before the final demise of the mouse. It had been quite the kerfuffle!
I always thought chickens could do stuff like that, but never witnessed it in any fashion. Stands to reason — they have nests, eggs and sometimes chicks.