Bees are herbivorous insects, meaning their diet consists entirely of plant-derived substances from flowers. If bees are observed near a chicken coop, it’s not because they are attracted to the chickens as a food source, but due to other factors in the coop environment.
What Bees Eat
The primary food sources for bees are nectar and pollen, both collected from flowering plants. Nectar, a sugary liquid produced by plants, serves as the main carbohydrate source for adult bees, providing the energy needed for flight and daily activities. Bees collect nectar and convert it into honey, which is stored in the hive as an energy reserve for the colony.
Pollen, a powdery substance from flowers, supplies bees with the proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals essential for growth, development, and larval rearing. Worker bees collect pollen using specialized structures, transporting it back to the hive. Once in the hive, pollen is often mixed with nectar and enzymes to create “bee bread,” a fermented, protein-rich food crucial for feeding developing larvae and young worker bees. This balanced diet of nectar for energy and pollen for nutrients is fundamental to a bee colony’s health and productivity.
Reasons Bees Are Near Chickens
If bees are observed near chicken coops, their presence is typically for reasons unrelated to the chickens themselves. One common attraction is water, which bees require for digestion, temperature regulation, and honey production within the hive. Especially during hot weather, bees may seek out any available water source, including puddles, condensation, or open waterers in a chicken coop. These water sources can become appealing if cleaner options are not readily available.
Another reason bees might frequent a coop area is the presence of spilled chicken feed. While bees do not eat the grains directly, some commercial chicken feeds contain ingredients like soy flour or other dusty components that can serve as a protein substitute for pollen. Bees may collect this fine dust to supplement their diet and create bee bread for their young. Additionally, flowering plants or weeds growing near the coop could simply be providing a natural foraging opportunity for nectar and pollen, drawing bees to the general vicinity.
Ensuring Bees and Chickens Thrive Together
Managing both bees and chickens in a shared environment can be successful with careful planning and specific measures. Providing a dedicated, clean water source for bees, separate from chicken waterers, is important to prevent bees from congregating around the coop. This can involve a shallow dish with pebbles or floating objects, allowing bees to land safely without drowning. Placing this bee-specific water source away from the chicken area can help redirect their attention.
Storing chicken feed in secure, airtight containers and promptly cleaning up any spills can prevent bees from being attracted to the feed. While bees are generally not aggressive when foraging, minimizing their presence around the coop reduces potential interactions. Positioning beehives at a distance from the chicken coop, or elevating them, can also create a buffer zone. Providing separate spaces and resources helps maintain a harmonious backyard environment for both species.