Slugs in feeder

[Merry]

I usually bring the chickens` feeder in at night but last night I left it out. This morning it had five massive slugs on it and one actually in the food!
We thought that we`d be able to leave their house door open if we were occasionally away for the night. (We`ve got a covered fox-proof run)
But if we can`t leave the food out this isn`t an option.
Do the slugs do any harm?
Sorry if this is a wimpy trivial question but I`m a very new chook keeper.

[Annpan]

I thought chicken ate slugs? Maybe some do, I doubt they would do them any damage, think of all the creepy-crawlies they must eat if free ranging.

Is your feeder suspended? this is how I have seen that you should do it, to keep rats off, but it would keep off slugs too ( I would have thought)

[Bluebell]

I thought chicken ate slugs?

Our chickens go quackers when one of them finds a slug and they all chase the lucky one trying to grab it for themselves. We did wonder if it is okay for them to eat the slugs. The thought is disgusting but they seem deliriously excited and happy when they get one.
Bluebell

[Rod in Japan]

I've often looked at birds and thought how nice it would be to fly. Birds often look at me and think how nice it would be to sit down to a quiet meal without some hysterical bastard trying to eat the same piece of food all the time.

Having seen where slugs in my garden get, I doubt that hanging the feeder would deter them entirely. Best let the birds eat them.

[Thomzo]

Don't worry about the slugs. The birds'll soon work out that they really are very tasty little treats. If you can hang the feeder up then that will help a lot.

Zoe

[Merry]

Thank you folks!