Yellow jackets/hornets

[lynnehd]

Anyone have a chicken that was stung by a yellow jacket? There are a lot of them in the run. I've been watering the grass in the run and a few pots of herbs/lettuce that are in there. It's been really hot and I think they're attracted to the water. So far the chickens seem to be able to maneuver around just fine, but wondering if anyone has ever had a chicken get stung (I'm a little worried for them).

We just have a regular back yard in suburbia, but have had several ground yellow jacket nests. We have started spraying beneficial nematodes every year for 2-3 years, in about May in our area (temps need to be >50-55 and you still need some rain to water them in). We use a hose end sprayer and get them at a local nursery.
The nematodes are species specific, so you want to make sure yellow jacket prevention is included in the ones you get. (also fleas as a side benefit).

They do not harm earthworms, etc. Since we have used them, no yellow jacket nests.

Now you may not be able to spray the nematodes over your entire property, but certainly over part of it. Not to say you won't get any yellow jackets coming around, but they certainly won't be nesting near your coop.

 

[centrarchid]

I have had birds stung by wasps and bees. They do not like it but no losses. It is impressive enough that chickens will not mess around entrance of bee hives yet they will still eat the bee / wasp larvae.