What are these white things?

[Laetha]

We just bought a new house where the owners in the past had chickens. Went to the coop area and there are a TON of these white things on the ground. They aren’t moving and seem inanimate so I don’t know if they were some kind of food or treat (def NOT rice) or if it is some sort of worm. I hope it isn’t the latter cause then I feel really sorry for their chickens. I don’t think they had chickens for a few years. So I’m trying to figure out if I need to be worried. Thank you all in advance...

 

[pibb]

Tapeworm eggs look like little pieces of rice. It's kinda hard to tell from your pic what they are. I don't know if tapeworm eggs will lay on the soil like that for years or not. @dawg53

 

[Eggcessive]

Dead maggots or tapeworm segments come to mind. Either would be moving if alive. I would check your chicken’s vents for evidence of maggots or flystrike. Wounds or poopy butts may attract flies. Also, take a look at some droppings in the morning. Poop pictures are welcome.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

Honestly, looks like they did a pretty bad job of caring for their chickens. If you don't plan to get any anytime soon- I would douse that area down with Seven Dust and kill the heck out of any bug-thing.

Don't let this weirdness dissuade you from getting your own chickens, they are great to care for and have- and with a little maintenance, you can keep from having any kind of weird bugs like these.

 

[Laetha]

Dead maggots or tapeworm segments come to mind. Either would be moving if alive. I would check your chicken’s vents for evidence of maggots or flystrike. Wounds or poopy butts may attract flies. Also, take a look at some droppings in the morning. Poop pictures are welcome.

Thank you. We don’t have any chickens in the coop yet. This is stuff left over from the previous owners. My first thought was tapeworm but there are literally thousands on the ground. Soooo many. That’s why I thought maybe something non alive like food of some kind. I shudder to think of whatever poor animal had tapeworm that bad if it is indeed tapeworms.

 

[Laetha]

Honestly, looks like they did a pretty bad job of caring for their chickens. If you don't plan to get any anytime soon- I would douse that area down with Seven Dust and kill the heck out of any bug-thing.

Don't let this weirdness dissuade you from getting your own chickens, they are great to care for and have- and with a little maintenance, you can keep from having any kind of weird bugs like these.

How long would I need to wait to introduce my flock to the area if I seven dust it? Thank you so much for replying and the encouragement!

 

[Neggative]

i actually spray the liquid 7 on my chickens... i read that its fine.... really takes care of the gnats when they get bad... any body ever heard of it harming chickens? im not sure about the dust tho it could get in their feed and stuff but i guess you dont have any chickens yet sooo it should be fine....

 

[Neggative]

(sort of rambly...lol)

 

[Straightrunner]

Tapeworm

 

[Laetha]

(sort of rambly...lol)

Lol. I’m ok with rambly! I welcome any and all rambles!!!