Chickens and insects are not supposed to share the same place.
The second can cause illness or even the death of the first.
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Why do I have insects in my chicken coop?
Hens are the targets of various small and sometimes even microscopic insects.
Which frequently invite themselves into their habitat, due to the presence of droppings and leftover food.
Regular housekeeping and floor-to-ceiling inspections help limit the appearance of these unwanted guests.
What insects are present in the chicken coop?
the worm
Invisible to the naked eye, the worm can attack barnyard tenants and cause them a loss of appetite, diarrhea or an abnormal state of fatigue, a lethargic state.
To avoid these inconveniences, it is recommended to deworm them regularly so that the insects do not come.
The common louse
The common louse tends to be present especially in winter, when the hens roll less frequently in the moist earth to remove it from their plumage and stop feeding on their dead cells.
The red lice
Unlike the common louse, the red louse can harm the health of poultry or even cause its death within a few days, especially if the victim is young, old or ill if measures are not taken in time.
The mite
This parasite is responsible for mange and attacks the legs and skin of birds.
Fly
The fly can coexist because of a bad smell emanating from the chicken coop, such as droppings or the presence of food scraps.
The chip
It can appear most of the time in the litter before spreading on the bird to suck its blood.
Read alsoAre hens beneficial in an orchard?
Are they a danger to chickens?
The harmfulness of insects that invade chickens varies according to their species and their number.
The onset of symptoms such as abnormal weight loss, weak condition, swollen crop, less frequent egg laying, dull plumage, scratching when itchy can alert you to a problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. .
Read alsoWhy raise chickens in your garden?
Effective tips for getting rid of insects in a chicken coop
Make poultry house hygiene a priority, clean and disinfect the interior frequently – on average once a week, in every corner, as well as accessories such as feeders, drinkers and perches.
In addition, about twice a year, the wood of the chicken coop can be treated with linseed oil to prevent the appearance of humidity and the installation of parasites in the cracks.
Change the litter weekly
Once or twice a year, completely empty the chicken coop to put an antibacterial and fungicidal disinfectant product to treat the wood.
Provide a space large enough for the number of hens present, allowing them to move around easily and not be on top of each other.
Read alsoHow to clean and disinfect a chicken coop?
Give a balanced diet
So that the hens do not have deficiencies and are more sensitive to any viruses or microbes that could cause them to develop diseases.
Watch your chickens
Know your hens well by listening to them above and below, and taking the time to see if everything is going well, if their behavior is normal (appetite, walk, bond with other congeners, etc.).
Deworm them frequently to better protect them from parasites.
Monitor the condition of the chicken coop
Do prevention by depositing diatomaceous earth to prevent the arrival of red lice or worms.
Place them a relatively large sandbox so that they can roll around in it to get rid of any insects present in their plumage.
Also remember to change it regularly.
Monitor arrivals
Quarantine any new occupant then deworm her to ensure that she is not the source of parasites.
To note
If in doubt about one of them, it is advisable to isolate it to treat it and prevent it from contaminating the other occupants, depending on the parasite.