Mosquito larvae in waterer (from rain barrel)

[JNTx3]

We have a rain barrel that supplies water to one of our hen watering options. This automatic setup is great, except for the mosquitos!!! I see the dunks and other such products which are sold for rain barrels, but I wonder if they are safe enough for our girls. Anybody have any experience with this?

 

[centrarchid]

Consider placing a couple of gouramies in the tank. You may have to sweeten water if acidic.

 

[JNTx3]

Really? That seems crazy but I see the logic

 

[centrarchid]

During summer months I used to keep tropical fish in watering troughs to produce spawns. Species included various cichlids and gouramies. They kept those tanks mosquito free. Problem was troughs could not be used extensively enough by livestock to draw dawn to less than half full in a week nor be in full sun.

 

[aart]

Not sure if dunks would harm chickens....but a couple goldfish would do the trick too.

 

[Akrnaf2]

Not sure if dunks would harm chickens....but a couple goldfish would do the trick too.

Gold fish won't help you! They aren't predatory fish, you can put some rosy-barb. Or guramies but i think that a fine net over the barrel will do.
Reed this link:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poeciliidae
But i think that it is better for you to fined any native fish that can live in the climate condition of your country.

 

[Bonster]

We have goldfish in a pond and they are certainly more than willing to eat mosquito larva. You can also buy mosquito eaters from pond supply stores. Some government offices give them away for pest and disease control. They're a native species in America, not a tropical species.