Mosquitoes

[Chickenheadmate]

We have gotten rain almost every day for the last month or so here in North Texas. I have seen swarms of mosquitoes bothering my hens. Is there anything I can spray on their legs to help them?

 

[cavemanrich]

Insect repellents contain deet. It is an effective repellent, but there are questions of its safety. FDA claims it is safe. Its your choice to believe what they claim.
I avoid such repellents personally, but have used the Avon Skin So Soft in the past. They were less effective, but something, is better than nothing. Since then, Avon has a newer product called.

Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Picaridin Pump Spray .​

It contains Picaridin. That is supposed to be less potentially irritating to human skin. I have not tried this one yet.
There are also other natural products available that are free from both of these chemical ingredients.
Here is a link to a site that does explain some of them.
https://www.bestproducts.com/parenting/kids/g1387/natural-bug-repellent/

You may read thru the ingredients, and try some of your own options, like
lemon eucalyptus oil, cinnamon oil, thyme oil. I don't have any experience with these oils, but I also don't think they would be toxic to your chickens.

If you are only treating your chickens' legs, I would first try smearing some Crisco vegetable shortening. You can also try margarine as well. I use these to treat leg mite infestation on chickens' legs. Many peeps prefer using Vaseline, But I don't eat Vaseline, but do eat margarine myself.
Vaseline is not toxic to chicken BTW, and would possibly work also to repel those mosquitoes. Or at least prevent bites/stings

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[aart]

We have gotten rain almost every day for the last month or so here in North Texas. I have seen swarms of mosquitoes bothering my hens. Is there anything I can spray on their legs to help them?

Are the skeeters bugging their legs during the day in the run or on the range?
or and night on the roost?
A fan blowing at the roost area with just enough flow to disrupt the bugs flight is probably the best deterant.

 

[dawg53]

You can put window screen on all coop vents as well as the entrance to the coop. See pics:

 

[ibarbidahl]

Art - you may be a sheer genius.... I hope my ducks don't try to eat it-I'm trying it this weekend!

 

[aart]

I hope my ducks don't try to eat it-I'm trying it this weekend!

Make sure the fan cannot be accessed in any way by the birds.
1/2" Hardware Cloth might need to be added to keep beaks safe.