What are these bugs?

[VA Chicken Farmer]

Hey all,

I am new to this site and have been raising chickens for a few years. My love for birds began as a kid when my dad and I would hatch chicks together. I have ran into an issue lately and I have been unable to identify what this pest is. They don’t seem to be causing any harm to the birds, but all the research I have completed has come up empty. Any ideas? I have killed nearly a 1,000 in the past few days and believe the treatment I am using is working (pyrethrin for the past two days), but would like to identify what they are so I can better treat the issue. I use lime around the coop and DE within. Picture attached.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Do you have any universities or pest control companies around you that have someone who can identify them?

 

[VA Chicken Farmer]

I have not at this point. If I am unable to identify them and the problem continues, I will go that route. Thanks!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
I'd take some to an entomologist, or spend a lot of time on google.
Mary

 

[aart]

Need a closer and clearer look at them, top and bottom views.
Did you find them in side the coop....or?
There are good insect ID groups on Facebook.
Also your location would help.

 

[trudyg]

Ditto to what aart said and I would also like something for scale, maybe a coin, so we can know how large the thing is. Also, you can try your County Extension Agent. Ours is very knowledgable and helpful.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. Better closeup pictures would help. Good luck and have fun...

 

[VA Chicken Farmer]

Can you guys see this? I think I got them all, but still curious to what they are. This is at the base of the coop on the exterior. I have found them inside and outside, though. They about the size fine sharpie marker tip. Live in southeast Virginia.

 

[aart]

Can you guys see this?

Nope.
Pick some up and put on a white piece of paper,
some on their backs and others on their feet.
Put a quarter or a ruler next to them for scale.
Take some good clear and close up pics.

 

[WthrLady]

They're too small on the screen. If I HAD to make a guess, I'd GUESS alder bugs. But without a close up shot where the bug takes up most of the photo, who knows.