Toxic millipedes here :(

[GrannyHeeney]

Rotisserie ate quite a large one--it was curled up but must have been several inches long--and it killed her. I saw the thing while I was raking their straw around and thought, "Hmm, someone's going to get a nice breakfast." Ro found it almost immediately. Even the landlord (not a chicken person) knew these things will kill a chicken. *sigh* This was all right after things started drying up after that monsoon last month. I researched, of course, to find out as much about these horrid things as I could: they like dampness, so next rainy season, I'll be out there raking and watching for them. *granny on the warpath*

Is there anything that can neutralize millipede toxins in case someone else gets one? I only have 2 chickens left... *sad*

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Wow, I didn't even know about them. I hope someone has an idea. Yet another reason I don't live in the south.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@centrarchid knows about bugs, maybe he can help.

@GrannyHeeney I'm sorry about hen. Was it one of the black and red multi-legged "things" that I see sometimes. My dog hates them, he just slobbers when he sees them and I have to make him leave them alone.

 

[GrannyHeeney]

@centrarchid knows about bugs, maybe he can help.

@GrannyHeeney Was it one of the black and red multi-legged "things" that I see sometimes

I didn't get a good look but it looked all black. Big, black and creepie. =(

 

[ChocolateMouse]

You might be able to use activated charcoal but I imagine it might be hard to get the chickens to eat it safely.

 

[GrannyHeeney]

The more I think about it, the more I wonder if I even asked a valid question, considering the interwebz say the substance they create is a type of CYANIDE!! :-o

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I believe centipedes and milipedes like damp places with lots of cover, so keeping stuff cleaned up and using a substrate they can't live in may help to prevent it. Leaf litter, and any type of compostable material like straw or hay will attract them so at least during the warmer months it may help to keep them on sand or gravel, or even just grass. Also avoid rotting wood, and rocks they can hide in and under.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

This is what I'm thinking of (or similar). I've only seen them in the woods and along damp areas-under leaves/logs, etc.

https://bugguide.net/node/view/865759/bgimage

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

 

[micstrachan]

Oh no! I’m so sorry. Yikes, we have millipedes and it never occurred to me it might harm the chickens. Thanks for sharing.