mosquitos and egg production?

[SunnyDayz]

I have 7 hens (a mishmosh of silkie/mixes and golden comets) of varying ages (5 months up to 2.5). We get 1 or 2 eggs a week
I have tried everything mentioned here (I did spend quite a bit of time reading here), but I just cannot figure out what the problem is.
I know we have a mosquito problem here, but hadn't realized just how bad until tonight. I went out to check everyone (we also have a broody due to hatch some eggs tomorrow). There must've been hundreds of mosquitos swarming the birds. They were shaking their heads, flicking and twitching the bugs away
That made me wonder if they are doing that all night long, they aren't sleepng well and have given up laying eggs? Is that possible?

 

[sourland]

In addition to missing sleep, they may be anemic because the mosquitoes are taking so much blood.

 

[SunnyDayz]

In addition to missing sleep, they may be anemic because the mosquitoes are taking so much blood.

Ah yes, agreed. How do I counter anemia in the chickens? I know what to do for people, I had slight anemia myself while pregnant.

So lack of sleep, obvious stress (I would be stressed, being bugged all night long) and possible anemia could cause a drop in egg production? We've tried so many things to rid the bugs. Our next step is a Mosquito Magnet.

 

[Mavrik]

I hate mosquitoes, so I've done allot of research on how to get rid of them. Reading product reviews, next to nothing gets rid of them, including the Mosquito Magnet (save your money), bug zappers, etc. I found that the organic mosquito repellent that is hooked to a hose and one gets at home depot does a fair job (it kinda stinks too). But the best thing to do is prevention. Research on-line for ideas, first thing to do is get rid of ANY standing water, they can breed in as little as a teaspoon of water.

 

[jak2002003]

I too am struggling with mosquito control. There were always a few around my birds in the early evening - nasty big ones. My birds caught fowl pox from them, and I used to get bitten when I was locking the birds away for the night.

Now the problem is much worse. I went out a few nights ago and there was a loud drone of mosquito wings. There were to many of them it was frightening! I feel so bad for the chickens at night now.

I tried an electric mosquito light zapper thing, but that just seemed to attract even more! I don't have any standing water in my property - but I live in Thailand and am surrounded by rice fields with lots of water in them.

I have had enough of these nasty insects. I only have a few chickens. So I have come up with a plan. I took down their old coop and now the chickens sleep in two large metal dog crates with a branch in each for a roost.

Today I went to the local shop and bought 2 mosquito nets - the kind we use over our beds. The shop owner though it very funny that I was paying good money for these nets to use for my chickens!

Tonight I will cover both cages with the nets. I think that should work!

 

[SunnyDayz]

We live with woods on all sides of us... I remove all standing water I can, but the leaves on the trees fill with water, they breed on the moist wood, there are puddles on the ground all over. I am powerless It rains everyday now.
I do like the natural bugspray made buy Cutter (it's mainly lemongrass) but I have to spray it twice a day for a little relief during the day, it does nothing for the swarms at night.

We bought the mosquito magnet today. I'll have it up and running tomorrow, I think it will really help. I don't have many other options at this point!

...and again~how would I treat for anemia? It would make sense if they are anemic and stressed due to the bugs.