[Kuikentje]

Apart from the obvious (i.e. snails are cute  ).

Lots of people say that having hens will help control your slugs (though the North Walian ones would be a challenge) and that the chickens will happily eat them.  I have read somewhere else that snails should not be given to hens.

Now to me a snail is basically a slug with a shell.  So is there a difference and if so, what?  Presumably I don't have to put a ring round the chickens' throats to stop them swallowing them, like those fishermen who use cormorants.  Can anyone enlighten me? 

[Mum2mj]

My chooks will eat little snails, only one of them eats slugs - but only the little black ones, not the whitish ones or the big ones! Chickens are particular I think!

[splash101]

I'm a bit particular myself and I dont have to eat them. (shudder) 

[superpete]

Slugs have l'escargo 

[yaxley]

One makes more noise when it goes through the lawnmower 

[Kuikentje]

One makes more noise when it goes through the lawnmower 

 

[Sassy]

One makes more noise when it goes through the lawnmower 

 

Like it

Slugs and snails carry worms that can infect your chooks so a good worming routine is important.

[pepsi100]

Mine will bash a snail about, bust up its home, but thats about it, slugs they dont even touch them, even I dont like the slimy horrible things, but I like the way they fizz and turn inside out with a drop of salt on them

After slugs have been over my greens and cabbage plants the chooks wont even touch them, unless they have been well washed (I dont blame them)

I dont know anything that eats these big white things

I cant use slug pellets, the chooks are just too nosey and I dont want them eating the slug pellets, so wet evenings I'm out there with a rubber glove and a bucket of water, any buyers out there ?