Part 0800.0005

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

I clean my nestbox every 2 weeks. About two weeks ago, I s"Ooops, word censored!"ed at one of my nest boxes with a s"Ooops, word censored!"er thing to clean it out, and revealed several tiny spiders and these wriggling white worms that were thin and about 2cm in length at the most. So I just s"Ooops, word censored!"ed it out very well and put my wood chippings bedding over it as I usually do.

 

Yesterday, I cleaned out the hen house again. Only this time there were still the spiders and a few dozens of these white worms. The bedding appears almost as good as new on the surface. But underneath it is a different story. I cleaned out all the little monsters again, and sprayed something similar to this: "http://www.countrylife.ie/moredetails/2011/10/19/clik-sheep-dip-pour-on-5l"

On the nestboxes. It is used on sheep to prevent maggots and insect larvae, I figured it would do the same in a nesting box.

 

My own thoughts as to what the source of the problem is are 2 new additions to my flock which are only getting into the swing of laying. And are therefore laying a good few soft-shelled eggs which are getting cracked, spilling in the nestbox, and attracting these tiny spiders and flies who are producing larvae in the nest box.

 

Any other ideas to where they are coming from, and how I can get rid of them if they keep returning.

[jennym]

I'm afraid I don't know what they are but my plan of action would be:

 

1. Full health check on the hens, especially check for signs of external parasites

2. Take the house apart and clean (power wash if you can) thoroughly. I do this about once a month anyway.

3. Reassemble and spray the house with a chicken-friendly anti-bug spray.

 

Also, if you have eggs breaking in your nest box I'd clean it out right away, just in case it is attracting pests.

 

Best of luck, I hope you get rid of the nasties!

[Egluntyne]

I'm afraid you need to be cleaning out more often than every 2 weeks at this time of year. The white wrigglers are probably bluebottle larvae.

[sparkysmum]

Please check your hens carefully in case of fly strike - has been known. Agree with above comments re cleaning out nest box. Daily cleaning shouldn't take more than a couple of mins. How is your hen with bumblefoot Hope she's making good progress.

[Mr Rhode Island Red]

What should I look for on the hens?

[The Dogmother]

Any wounds or maggots on their undercarriage, also check fro lice and mites while you're there.