Black beatles

[Gerrica]

I keep my coop filled with wood shavings. I also make sure every time I add more wood shavings I scoop out the old and sprinkle diatomaceous earth to help with the moisture. (I know it also kills bugs) recently I've been getting these black Beatle things and I'm reading online and it says they are probably attracted to food and water . I never had this before I got the little babies so I'm thinking that's most definately the case. The littles won't drink off a bucket yet so they need the feeder that sits on the ground. Same with water. Any tips?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't generally worry about bugs or beetles. Most are harmless and some are tasty. I personally wouldn't be sprinkling DE as it's a respiratory irritant, but many do use it and swear by it.

 

[B Redhawk]

You might want to try to identify that beetle species, some can cause botulism in chickens if they eat the beetle. Some times the chooks can get over it but usually a case of botulism can run through the flock since it is a bacteria and anaerobic the toxin can be spread by other birds feeding on any infected animal or insect.