Ants

[MesMama]

I have noticed several ants, mainly just in random areas on the coop floor amongst all the straw and wood chips. Do I need to be concerned since I have two broody's in nests on the floor? Will the ants bother the eggs my girls are sitting on?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Seeing that you're in Iowa, I have ruled out Fire Ants. So I don't think that you have much too fear. A smattering of ants are not normally a problem. However a congregation of ants is another matter. This is especially true when dealing with defenseless hatchlings or an aggressive ant species like imported black, red, and crazy fire ants.

May I suggest that you capture a few ant specimens and carry them to your county agent for identification?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Seeing that you're in Iowa, I have ruled out Fire Ants. So I don't think that you have much too fear. A smattering of ants are not normally a problem. However a congregation of ants is another matter. This is especially true when dealing with defenseless hatchlings or an aggressive ant species like imported black, red, and crazy fire ants.

May I suggest that you capture a few ant specimens and carry them to your county agent for identification?

X 2 - IDing the ant will be the first step. The eggs won't be bothered, and once dry the chicks should not be bothered either - but the wet, just hatched/hatching chicks will be very attractive to some ants.

 

[MesMama]

Seeing that you're in Iowa, I have ruled out Fire Ants. So I don't think that you have much too fear. A smattering of ants are not normally a problem. However a congregation of ants is another matter. This is especially true when dealing with defenseless hatchlings or an aggressive ant species like imported black, red, and crazy fire ants.

May I suggest that you capture a few ant specimens and carry them to your county agent for identification?

I'll do that! Good idea! Thank you

 

[MesMama]

X 2 - IDing the ant will be the first step. The eggs won't be bothered, and once dry the chicks should not be bothered either - but the wet, just hatched/hatching chicks will be very attractive to some ants.

So ALL ants would be attracted to the wet chick or the concern would just be the type of ant?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Pretty much any ant will be attracted to the fluids involved with a hatching chick - and they can swarm fast and hard. *I* would be concerned about any ants, but give particular concern if it were a particularly nasty species. Since hatching hasn't take place yet you could easily dust the coop with some Sevin or, if you are the DE type, go that route. I like ants that fulfill their purposes outside of my coop, but they are not welcome inside.

 

[MesMama]

Pretty much any ant will be attracted to the fluids involved with a hatching chick - and they can swarm fast and hard. *I* would be concerned about any ants, but give particular concern if it were a particularly nasty species. Since hatching hasn't take place yet you could easily dust the coop with some Sevin or, if you are the DE type, go that route. I like ants that fulfill their purposes outside of my coop, but they are not welcome inside.

I agree 100%

Also, what does DE mean?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

DE is Diatomaceous Earth - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth - those that prefer the more natural approach over chemicals often use it and there are lots of claims regarding it's various applications, but your situation is probably the only one *I* would even consider using it for any of the things it is reported to be useful for.