Swallow nests - coexist with coops?

[RenoHuskerDu]

The CEO is fond of Swallows despite being considered a nuisance by some. I won't allow them to build nests on our house. But I agreed with her to building a nest area on an outbuilding or perhaps on our large coop trailer.

Has anybody any experience with Swallows nesting in or on your coops? I searched BYC but got no hits on Swallows, the birds.

https://www.propacificpestcontrol.c...w-or-be-stuck-with-them-until-next-september/

 

[boskelli1571]

My chickens live in a barn and during the summer we have 3 sets of swallows nesting. No problems noted in the last 10 years
You will likely have lice from the wild birds but that's easily treated with poultry dust.

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

Lice, yikes! We avoid toxic products on our birds, have not had to dust them ever. They have several types of dirt and ashes in the area to use for dustbaths.

 

[Folly's place]

Wild songbirds do bring mites or lice, and if your birds free range at all, they will have issues sometime. Swallows help with insect eating are are wonderful to have around! We also have them in the barn, love it!
Mary

 

[centrarchid]

I have not attributed health issues in my chickens to swallows. As I kid I did dust a nest for mites as the mites killed song bird chicks I placed in the nests almost without exception. Result for swallows was much heavier fledge weight, so the mites do cause the swallows issues.

 

[Chickassan]

Swallows don't harm a thing, it is like Capistrano here and the chickens do not suffer any ill effects.
I do have the occasional broody hen with fanny lice but that is just going to happen.

 

[cmom]

Wild birds can introduce things like lice and mites into the flock. I had some that were trying to build nest in my nest boxes. I do put poultry dust in the nest boxes. Good luck and have fun...

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

I have not attributed health issues in my chickens to swallows. As I kid I did dust a nest for mites as the mites killed song bird chicks I placed in the nests almost without exception. Result for swallows was much heavier fledge weight, so the mites do cause the swallows issues.

What is heavier fledge weight?

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

Swallows don't harm a thing, it is like Capistrano here and the chickens do not suffer any ill effects.
I do have the occasional broody hen with fanny lice but that is just going to happen.

Hey now, we have a friend named Fanny ...

 

[Punkybrewster]

There have always been swallows in our barn with livestock. Ive never had a problem with them. But the poor barn cat gets nailed by them while trying to walk around outside the barn. They swoop and get him good!