Bugs in nesting box

[firecatt007]

Cleaning out the shavings and found groups of these bugs in the corners. Anyone know what it is? Pic is enlarged. We’re in Florida.

 

[MomJones]

Cleaning out the shavings and found groups of these bugs in the corners. Anyone know what it is? Pic is enlarged. We’re in Florida.

It's one of the Florida Beetles-- Carpet or Rice Beetle maybe. Don't worry--beetles are not toxic to chickens so I'd consider them a nice snack for the girls! Yum.

 

[firecatt007]

Thanks for the quick reply! I am new to chicken keeping and am terrified of getting some bugs (mites) and having it get out of control.

 

[dawg53]

Darkling beetles.

 

[Chickassan]

If chicken butt bugs were that size they'd be way, way easier to get rid of.

 

[WthrLady]

yup. Harmless. They're eating other things in the bedding. Let them be. They stink, so the chickens will let them be.

 

[Sue Gremlin]

Darkling beetles. Chickens will eat them. They're not a problem.

 

[cmom]

Thanks for the quick reply! I am new to chicken keeping and am terrified of getting some bugs (mites) and having it get out of control.

Even though you have been a member for a little while, I went many many years without having any pests in my coops. Last year one of the coops became infested with mites. I treated all of my coops as a precaution. You never know.

 

[firecatt007]

Thanks! I am really nervous about bugs. The neighbors next door have a bunch of bird feeders, so we get much more then our share of “visitors”, feathered and otherwise.