When it comes to scorpions, most people fear them due to their aggressive looks and a tail that can cause injury. In some parts of the world, people will catch and eat scorpions as a delicacy. As for chickens, are they scared of scorpions, or will they eat them?
Do chickens eat scorpions? Yes, chickens will eat scorpions at every chance they get. The problem with scorpions is their stinger. Some species are poisonous while others are not. If they do get stung, it will just be a painful sting.
Can Scorpions Hurt Chickens?
It depends on the species of the scorpion. There are some that are poisonous and some that are not.
In the U.S., there are a few species that are very dangerous and can cause serious injury to the chickens.
Scorpions have pinchers and tails that they will use to defend themselves. When they need to cause injury to their prey, they will use their tail. At the tip of the tail is a segment that’s called the telson. The telson contains a pair of venom glands and a hypodermic aculeus or venom-injecting barb (stinger). This stinger allows the scorpion to sting their prey.
Most chickens know the danger of eating scorpions and will react quickly when the scorpion tries to sting them.
For the most part, a single scorpion will be no match for a flock of chickens and will usually end up being eaten.
Are Chickens Immune to Scorpion Stings?
Whether you look on forums or across the web, there will be some people stating that chickens are immune to scorpion stings.
There are a couple of reasons why some people think so. One is that chickens are naturally aware of the threat scorpion poses. Chickens will tend to stay away from their stinger.
Another reason could be the chicken’s thick feathers. The feathers on the chicken are thick enough where the stinger won’t be able to penetrate it to their skin.
While chickens are aware of the danger and have thick feathers to protect them, unfortunately, chickens are not immune to scorpion stings and can die from them.
How Dangerous Are Scorpions in the U.S.?
The good news is that if you live in the U.S., there are not a lot of poisonous or dangerous scorpions. Most of the dangerous ones will be found in the southern part of the U.S.
Two of the worst and dangerous scorpions are:
Arizona Bark Scorpion
This species of scorpion is found mostly in Arizona. However, they are also found in nearby states that include California, New Mexico, and Nevada.
The venom in their sting is powerful enough to kill an adult human. While most will be able to recover from it, the sting will cause excruciating pain until you can get help.
For that reason, we can assume that the Arizona bark scorpion will be deadly for chickens as well. If you like them in any of these states, be aware of them in the yards.
Striped Bark Scorpion
This species of scorpion is found across the south-central of the U.S. You can find this scorpion in Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas.
The sting from this scorpion is not as deadly as the Arizona Bark Scorpion, but it’s enough to kill a chicken.
What to Do If A Scorpion Sting The Chicken
If the chicken was stung by a scorpion, they may start to scream. If you notice this, the first thing to do is separate the chicken from the rest of the flock.
Find where it was stung on the chicken. Look around the head area and leg. These are the most common place where the scorpion will sting.
If you don’t know what species of scorpion it is, you’ll have to wait to see if there’s any reaction from the poison.
If you do see the scorpion, and it’s one of the poisonous species, seek medical attention right away. This applies to the chicken that shows signs of poisoning, such as weakness, not eating, laying down, or not active.
For all others, on the area that’s stung, wipe it with alcohol and apply animal bite medication to it. Also, you can
What to Do If A Scorpion Sting The Chicken
If the chicken was stung by a scorpion, they may start to scream. If you notice this, the first thing to do is separate the chicken from the rest of the flock.
Find where it was stung on the chicken. Look around the head area and leg. These are the most common place where the scorpion will sting.
If you don’t know what species of scorpion it is, you’ll have to wait to see if there’s any reaction from the poison.
If you do see the scorpion, and it’s one of the poisonous ones, seek medical attention right away. This applies to the chicken that shows signs of poisoning, such as weakness, not eating, laying down, or not active.
For all others, on the area that’s stung, wipe it with alcohol and apply animal bite medication to it. Also, you can give them Benadryl, which will help relieve allergic reactions and irritation.
After a few days with some rest, the chicken will recover from it.
Do Scorpions Come Out at Night Or Day?
Scorpions are nocturnal creatures, which means they will sleep during the day and come out only at night.
For chickens, they will unlikely encounter one since they will go inside their coop at dusk.
Since scorpions are out searching for foods at night, they may end up in the coop. For this reason, it’s best to seal the coop tightly as possible, especially around the flooring area.
Conclusion
Scorpion makes a tasty treat for chickens, but it can also be dangerous for them too. Most of the time, you won’t need to worry about these critters stinging your chicken since they are nocturnal. However, once in a while they may wander out during the daytime. Chickens will see them as an opportunity for an easy meal and will try to eat it. Most of the time, the scorpion will be no match for the chickens.
