Ant piles in chicken run

[rcm1201]

Do ants bite chickens? I’ve noticed a couple piles forming in the run (we’ve had a lot of rain lately and the run is a high spot in the yard). Chickens don’t seem to mind and like pecking at them. Should I let them be or try to get rid of the ants? The run is the chickens main home as they don’t get to free range all that much.

 

[aart]

What kind of ants?
If fire ants they should probably be gotten rid of.

 

[Ridgerunner]

In New Orleans with the rain we just had that has to be fire ants. I hate those things but am not sure how big of a risk they are to your chickens. I would be concerned. They are not going to eat enough of them to exterminate that mound.

My first suggestion is to call the Parish extension office and chat with them. Just explain your concern with whoever answers, they should be able to connect you with a good contact.

I would not use poison on them, not with the chickens around. if you cannot get satisfaction from the extension office I'd drown them in a lot of boiling hot water, try to convince them to move to where you can deal with them.

 

[akroberts1085]

I just read an article that states that you can pour vinegar in the the hole and it will cause the ants to get confused and they won't be able to find food.

 

[Penpal]

I have used corn meal mixed with sugar and just enough water to hold it together. Put it where the ants can get to it but the chickens can't.

The sugar is irresistible to an ant, and the corn kills them. They will bring it back to the mound.

 

[akroberts1085]

I have used corn meal mixed with sugar and just enough water to hold it together. Put it where the ants can get to it but the chickens can't.

The sugar is irresistible to an ant, and the corn kills them. They will bring it back to the mound.

That's a great idea. I need to try this for my garden especially since I am going organic only. I don't want chemicals and toxins in or around my food.