Bugs

[Mzzkty]

I just opened chicken feed container and found these bugs. What are they and are they bad for my chickens?

 

[Debbie292d]

Guessing some type of grain weevil. No, they aren't bad, in fact, chickens would eat them.

You'd want to stop them from breeding though as they are eating your feed. Most feed already has diatomaceous earth in it to prevent this, but I'd mix in some more.

 

[swamphiker]

Agreed, it's a grain weevil. It's still fine to feed the grain with weevils to your flock.

To prevent future feed from getting infested, do a thorough cleaning of any feed storage containers (ex. bleach water soak) before adding new feed. Also check any feed when you purchase it, the issue could very well be coming from the feed store.

 

[Mzzkty]

Agreed, it's a grain weevil. It's still fine to feed the grain with weevils to your flock.

To prevent future feed from getting infested, do a thorough cleaning of any feed storage containers (ex. bleach water soak) before adding new feed. Also check any feed when you purchase it, the issue could very well be coming from the feed store.

I bought most of the feed from sprouts in the bulk bin section. I also put food grade DE in the food.
I did buy crumble from the feed store though.
Thank you for your input.

 

[Mzzkty]

Guessing some type of grain weevil. No, they aren't bad, in fact, chickens would eat them.

You'd want to stop them from breeding though as they are eating your feed. Most feed already has diatomaceous earth in it to prevent this, but I'd mix in some more.

I already put some food grade DE in the food and I thought I had put too much, but I guess not. I’ll put more. Thank you for your help

 

[Debbie292d]

I already put some food grade DE in the food and I thought I had put too much, but I guess not. I’ll put more. Thank you for your help

Go ahead and feed this to your chickens though. The rest I'd put in something airtight so they can't get in anymore and those in there will die from the DE.

 

[Mzzkty]

Go ahead and feed this to your chickens though. The rest I'd put in something airtight so they can't get in anymore and those in there will die from the DE.

Good thing i just bought more buckets with lids.
Thank you