Well that wasn't fun

[Ascholten]

So I have the cage of an IBC tote that I stretched chicken wire around to make a bigger add on to the run of their chicken tractor for them to hang out in. Once a week or so, I pull the thing back so I can move the tractor to a non destroyed part of the lawn and clean/ refill their watering bucket.

Well today I went to do just that, like I have for the past oh god, year and a half now???? anyways, the thing had a wasp nest under the lip. I got my fingers into that and that son of a bitch lit me up like you would not believe.

After teaching the Cockatoo a few new choice words which I PRAY... he forgets.... (good luck there bucky), I went back out with the bug spray and to inspect. This nest HAD to be right at eye level with them when I fed them every morning!

I just don't know what to say to be totally honest. I mean, yes I am pretty sure a chicken is smart enough NOT to mess with a wasp nest (it was those flat little paper wasps not the football hornets), but for there not to be attacks from the wasps? Chickens are not known for their grace, especially when eating! They didn't brush this thing with their combs when fighting over first dibs to the tray? They never acted strange either, spooked, scared, or anything. Im just shocked.

So has anyone else had hornets/ wasps in very close proximity to their birds before and what can I use to help prevent this that won't harm the birds? I don't want to be douching the run down with raid hornet killer and turning the girls loose in there.

I also need to watch where I stick my hands too next time, but geez Whudathunkit with a quartet of chickens that will eat anything ELSE in the universe!

Aaron

 

[STACEYH]

All ages here might want to watch language.
My ladies eat bees and love them being around. I had some this year on rotting fruit the ladies had a feast. I watched them chasing after them.

 

[RubelliteRose]

Ouch!! I was bit twice this summer by hornets so I know they hurt!
We had a nest under a table in our run right by the food container. I ended up spraying it with rubbing alcohol after the chickens were in the coop for the night. I picked up the dead wasps with a garden trowel so they wouldn't be eaten in the morning just in case there was any residue left from the alcohol. It evaporates so quickly I don't think there would be an issue, but I just wanted to be safe.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yikes!

My birds haven't had close encounters with stinging things yet, but I stepped in a fire ant mound while refilling their water one time this summer and got chewed up pretty badly.

I jumped out of my muck boots and ran into the house to my bathroom shedding clothing along the way with little regard for what my teen boys might have seen.

Later that same week my then 15yo stuck a shovel straight into a yellowjacket nest and ended up taking a shower in the hose trying to get them off him.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

I'm not laughing at you, just with you. I sympathize. I once opened the lid of the propane tank to check the gauge while I was sitting on my lawnmower, so my face was right there when wasps flew out and stung me. Its funny now.
My chickens will eat just about anything, but maybe they know well enough to leave wasps alone.

 

[Ascholten]

OH lord, that yellow jacket nest brings bad memories of my childhood. Walking through the woods and stepped on an underground nest.

The alcohol, should evaporate pretty quickly and should not leave a residue, but wasps, what if swallowing one a stinger got caught? I honestly don't know, still I think you did the right thing getting rid of them so they didn't try to gobble them.

fire ants, THOSE things!! They should make them the Official State Pest in Florida here ! Yes they will tear you up pretty bad. The initial stings may go away in a half hour or so but a few days later when the bites get all pussy, blistery, or worse if you have allergies to them, then it can get real bad.

Ive seen chickens eat bees before, but a bee is pretty ... harmless, they do not generally go out of their way to sting you, probably because they know it's a death sentence where wasps / hornets, that ilk, don't care because it can whap you over and over again. Maybe bees are sweeter too That honey thing!

Aaron

 

[Isadora]

I jumped out of my muck boots and ran into the house to my bathroom shedding clothing along the way with little regard for what my teen boys might have seen.

I would have done the same thing.

 

[Folly's place]

Here the ground wasps (hornets?) are the worst, because their small entry holes are hard to see, until it's too late. Glad we don't have fire ants!
Mary

 

[Ascholten]

Here the ground wasps (hornets?) are the worst, because their small entry holes are hard to see, until it's too late. Glad we don't have fire ants!
Mary

Another problem is, they have multiple holes at times, so you may cave in one, and they come out somewhere else 4 feet away to get you. Yah, that nest you stepped on, turned out to be a 3 holer ! and you are in for a RUDE surprise !

 

[Sequel]

I have those little that disc nests too! There is one under the eaves of my coop but it’s way higher than they (or I) can reach without a ladder. Also in my green house. They seem to be extremely non aggressive, however I haven’t tried to pet them. I’ve seen them hunting in my vegetable garden and I haven’t had an aphid in years and this year no cabbage worms! I saw the little white moths but no worms. I leave them be if at all possible. Your situation is different, I’m sorry you got stung but you wrote such an entertaining story I had to share it with DH! We’re both!