Black widow spiders can be dangerous to chickens, especially if the chickens are bitten by the spider. Black widow venom is toxic to chickens and can cause serious health problems, including difficulty breathing, muscle tremors, and death.
It is important to take precautions to protect your chickens from black widow spiders, such as removing piles of debris, wood, and other places where the spiders may hide. You can also use spider repellent sprays in and around the coop to help keep spiders away. If you suspect that your chicken has been bitten by a black widow spider, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately, as prompt treatment can greatly increase the chances of recovery.
How Do I Keep Black Widows Away from My Chickens?
There are lots of ways to keep black widows away from your chickens, but I’ll share my favorite way with you here:
Use Grandpa Gus’s Spider Repellent Pouches.
(This is a fairly unique product, but there are some alternatives. Those likely work, but I can’t personally vouch for them).
But this is important: Don’t put the pouches (or any potentially harmful product) ANYWHERE where your chickens can reach them.
The essential oils may be harmful to your chickens in large exposures or if ingested. So, please, put the pouches out of reach.
I found it was effective to place them outside of the coop, where the chickens won’t reach them. And up high near the coop entrance (but completely out of chickens’ reach).
Here are some other steps you can take to help keep black widow spiders away from your chickens:
- Remove hiding places: Black widow spiders like to hide in dark, cluttered areas. Remove piles of debris, wood, and other places where the spiders may hide to make the environment less attractive to them.
- Keep the coop clean: Regularly clean the chicken coop and surrounding area to reduce the spider population.
- Use spider repellents: Use spider repellent sprays or natural remedies, such as essential oils, in and around the coop to help keep spiders away.
- Inspect for spiders: Regularly inspect the coop and surrounding area for black widow spiders and remove them if found.
- Use chicken wire: Install chicken wire around the bottom of the coop to prevent spiders from entering.
- Keep food and water in secure containers: Spiders are attracted to food and water, so keep food and water in secure containers that cannot be easily accessed by spiders.
It is important to take precautions to protect your chickens from black widow spiders, as their venom can be dangerous to chickens. If you suspect that your chicken has been bitten by a black widow spider, seek veterinary care immediately.
What Should I Do if I See a Black Widow Near My Chickens?
If you see a black widow spider near your chickens, it is important to take the following steps to protect your birds:
- Remove the spider: Remove the black widow spider as soon as possible, using a broom or a similar object to avoid direct contact with the spider. Be sure to wear gloves and take other protective measures to avoid being bitten yourself.
- Keep chickens away: Keep your chickens away from the area where the black widow was seen to prevent them from being bitten.
- Seek veterinary care: If your chicken has been bitten by a black widow spider, seek veterinary care immediately, as prompt treatment can greatly increase the chances of recovery.
- Take precautions: Take steps to reduce the risk of black widow spiders in the area, such as removing piles of debris, using spider repellents, and regularly inspecting the coop and surrounding area for spiders.
It is important to take precautions to protect your chickens from black widow spiders, as their venom can be dangerous to chickens. If you suspect that your chicken has been bitten by a black widow spider, seek veterinary care immediately.
What Do I Do if a Black Widow Has Bitten One of My Chickens?
If a black widow spider has bitten one of your chickens, it is important to take the following steps:
- Seek veterinary care: Take your chicken to a veterinarian immediately, as prompt treatment can greatly increase the chances of recovery.
- Provide supportive care: Provide your chicken with a warm, quiet place to rest, and offer it food and water if it is able to eat and drink.
- Observe for symptoms: Observe your chicken for symptoms of black widow spider venom toxicity, such as muscle tremors, difficulty breathing, and paralysis.
- Administer treatment: If your chicken has been diagnosed with black widow spider venom toxicity, follow your veterinarian’s instructions for treatment, which may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, and other medications.
It is important to take prompt and appropriate action if a black widow spider has bitten one of your chickens, as their venom can be dangerous to chickens. If you suspect that your chicken has been bitten by a black widow spider, seek veterinary care immediately.