What are these bugs?

[Kjm279]

And will they harm the chickens? These scarabs are being attacked by these little bugs.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Looks like some version of a sow bug to me. I wouldn't worry about them.

 

[Fishsticks06]

I have no idea, never have seen one of these bugs.

 

[Kjm279]

They do not seem like isopods and they’re attacking a living insect. Iso’s generally eat dead and decomposing matter.

 

[room onthebroom]

Its hard to see from the picture if the beetle is upside down or right side up. If the beetle is still alive & they're on its back, my best guess would be mites.

 

[Kjm279]

The beetle is on its back. The little bugs are on its belly. It’s a dung beetle. They were on his back too, but concentrated on its underside.

Between the dogs and chickens, we have a lot of dung beetles. I’ve never seen them attacked like this!

 

[Fishsticks06]

The beetle is on its back. The little bugs are on its belly. It’s a dung beetle. They were on his back too, but concentrated on its underside.

Between the dogs and chickens, we have a lot of dung beetles. I’ve never seen them attacked like this!

If they’re scavenging off carrion, the chickens can most likely eat it.

 

[Kjm279]

If they’re scavenging off carrion, the chickens can most likely eat it.

So these tiny bugs shouldn’t hurt the chickens?

 

[Fishsticks06]

So these tiny bugs shouldn’t hurt the chickens?

No, they shouldn’t. If the thing they eat is something that has already been killed, I don’t see any harm in them.

 

[Kjm279]