[Brambles]

My girls eat mostly layers pellets, bit of corn at night for treat and some greens during the day.   They have had quite a lot of slugs and snails lately   My worry is:  Please can anyone tell me if eating lots of slugs and snails can pass on anything nasty through the hens eggs?   Have very young grandchildren that eat my girls eggs

[Rubellite]

Well, the grandkids will be alright if they're boys. After all, they're made of slugs and snails and puppy dogs' tails aren't they?? ............

  Sorry, couldn't resist it! 

[Aunt Sally]

Slugs, snails and worms are an excellent source of protein for your chooks Bramble

[Brambles]

Ahhh  great relief thanq all..  I thought that the protein would be good for the hens, but was worried in case the slugs carried anything bad for the young children...  Funny thing, own children no problem...  grandchildren.... a constant worry!!

[Aunt Sally]

I would recommend that  your  grand children definitely eat the slug and snail protein via the hens eggs rather than direct 

[richyrich7]

Although they can carry parasites which could possibly infect your hens the chance of anything passing through to the egg is minuscule, if it helps my lot all queue up for cake mix on a baking day, and they are all very healthy.

[Legbar]

You'll find you'll get better quality eggs too, and the extra carotenoids will make the yolk more vibrant - plus they're clearing your land at the same time - win win 

[Sparr0wman]

yesterday i moved the log thats in there run. The poor worms didn't stand a chance. 
It's cool to hear that it's good for them.

[Kym503]

I hate to say this but mine are also very found of the odd dead mouse or even baby bird that the cat brings home ..... as you say - an extra source of protein BUT I would not recommend letting the kids see the hens eat them!  My daughter went off eggs for a few days after she saw the hens running around the garden with a dead mouse they found ....  Actually it put me off them as well the first time I saw it happen!

[richyrich7]

 yep if they corner a mouse they will kill and eat it, same with frogs, tug of war and they all get a bit 

[andreadon]

all part of the fun, though, isn't it!!

Rubellite - i'm so glad you got the apostrophe in the right place in puppy dogs' tails - can you imagine a puppy running round with several tails!!! 

I personally would recommend eating slugs directly - good for the immune system.
(that's a joke, I wouldn't really - it's a bit gross) 

[Jane-M]

Okay if you have a sensitive stomach look away - my younger grandson aged around four was very keen on licking slugs until they were no longer slimy, then starting a new one. He's now six and seem fine 

[Fruity]

Okay if you have a sensitive stomach look away - my younger grandson aged around four was very keen on licking slugs until they were no longer slimy, then starting a new one. He's now six and seem fine 

That's put me right off my dinner.

[azubah]

Okay if you have a sensitive stomach look away - my younger grandson aged around four was very keen on licking slugs until they were no longer slimy, then starting a new one. He's now six and seem fine 

Could he have been suffering from a dietary deficiency? I used to eat the soap sometimes, but grew out of it a few decades ago.

[karlooben]

i am so glad i was not eating while reading this  ohhhhhhh grossss  ... i cleared an old compost pile today i so wish i could of let my girls free for a few hours but i could not  they would have deid and gone to heaven