Mosquitoes and Chicks

[microbiomom]

I am planning to put my babies out in a few weeks. We have mosquitoes slurping til nearly December sometimes. Will this be bad for them? I know the health dept. are using chickens as sentinels for West Nile and encephalitis viruses, but I guess they are considered "working birds." Any guidance?
Thanks

 

[elmo]

I know that West Nile virus doesn't cause illness in chickens; I'm not sure about encephalitis, though.

In any event, chickens are bothered by mosquito bites just like we are; they are protected to a great degree by their feathers, but can get bitten around their eyes and on their legs, especially as they roost at night. In the daytime, many chickens gobble mosquitoes right up.

If you really want to pamper your birds, you could put mosquito screens on your coop vents/windows.

 

[BayMinetteChickenMom]

Hey, Micro, glad to see some other South Alabamians on the forum. I've had my chickens out since August. There are always some mosquitoes around the coop, but then there are always some mosquitoes around somewhere. The chickens seem to be fine.