Ants on eggs

[Krazy]

I have a chicken sitting on an egg. She left to eat and drink and I went to check the eggs but there was a lot of ants on all the eggs for some reason. Is there a problem? She doesn't care about the ants she still sit on it.

 

[gretchen13]

I've never heard of this. Ants are often attracted to dead or dieing things. I would watch how long she sits for. The eggs may not be vital if they are covered with ants. If no action after the usuale 21 day gestation period; I would toss the hen off and toss the eggs away.

 

[silkiechicken]

Be careful about ants, they can kill a chick that has just piped a hole though the egg.

 

[justusnak]

I would try to candle the eggs...make sure NONE have tiny holes in them, then replace all bedding, and dust with DE.

 

[Krazy]

All the eggs hatched surprisingly ! Today they hatched around noon! The little chicks where eat the ants when I watched them the ants where eating a dead grasshopper and left.

 

[drafthorse39]

i'm surprised by the outcome actually, usually ants are attracted to rotten or dead things, very happy for you though!