Earwigs?

[andythescot]

I have a lot of earwigs in my chicken coop. Its usually very dry in the coop, and I sprinkle layers of DE between the hay. No matter the condition of the hay, there are always earwigs, and the chickens don't even eat them! What do they do? Can they hurt the chickens through parasites?

 

[panner123]

Are you sure your chickens are alive? Never known a chicken to pass up an earwig or any bug for that matter.

 

[gryeyes]

Wow.... earwigs are like chicken candy! Maybe you have more of 'em than you know, and your chickens are sated. "Oh, no more earwigs for ME, thank you very much!"

They're good for chickens, actually. Bugs are a good source of niacin.

 

[huntercf]

I agree with gryeyes, my chickens have actually slid into each other running to get the earwigs. I used to have them all over my backyard and now I rarely see them anymore. I have never heard of earwigs passing parasites, but that doesn't mean they don't.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

mine adore earwigs. there are never enough. can we have some of yours?

 

[pgpoultry]

Think my hens prefer woodlice to earwigs, but they come a close second.

I have seen my hens catch flies and stuff them into the mouths of very young chicks. Clearly momma hens like their offspring to develop refined tastes,


Sandie

 

[whillo]

Are there any insects that our chicks should NOT eat? Will they go after bees and will they sting them and/or hurt them?

 

[libbyhan]

Just wanted to say that we are in the same situation. Our coop is filled with earwigs. When we open the window, 20 or so will run out of the gap. ONE chicken is interested- the others are just unimpressed. You can easily find them buried in the shavings. I picked up the paving stone the water was on the other day and about 50 of the little suckers ran out. SO GROSS. I'm hoping as my chicks get older, they'll love them. I HATE them. I keep tossing them at the chickens, hoping to spark some interest. Our chickens free range, so they don't spend a lot of time in the coop itself.

If they are all ear wigged out- I'm going to start freaking out. There must be millions!!!!

 

[ibpboo]

Whenever I see an earwig, I say 'oh! chicken food' and scoop it up.

 

[Ibicella]

I'm really surprised, I think this is the first time I've EVER heard of chickens who DON'T want to eat them!

That's interesting that they are nesting in dry conditions. They are usually attracted to moisture. It's possible they just decided to take refuge in the hay when they sensed dawn to bunk for the day because they are nocturnal. Are there any other moist places around the hay? A leaky gutter or downspout, mulch, compost pile, or old wood pile? They are also very attracted to light and will crawl towards outdoor lights and things.

Anyway, earwigs are not dangerous or destructive. They are simply part of Mother Nature's clean up crew and scavenge for dead insects and decomposing plant material. Most people don't like them and want them gone because they don't like the way they look.

But they're harmless so you really don't have to put any effort into doing anything with them if you don't want to.