Bees in Run/Coop

[Moodleroni]

So, I am not sure what to do, or if there is anything to be done. A bit of background:

Back in May 2024 a swarm of bees attacked my partner, four of our dogs, and myself while we were out doing yard work. They had built a hive in an orange tree (about the size of a beach ball), that we were unaware of since we hardly use that side of the yard. I guess we got too close and they swarmed. We all got stung multiple times and one of my dogs, a 10-year old female pug, was stung more than two-dozen times and she passed away the next morning . The bee hive and bees were removed the next weekend by a bee keeper who took the queen with him (is what I was told). Since then, we've been trying to keep a better look-out and have only spotted a few flying around our flowers then flying off.

This morning when I went to feed my chickens, there were a handfull of bees feeding around the chicken feeders in the run, rolling around the feed "dust" then flying out through the mesh. My chickens seemed unbothered and just ate around the bees, and the bees seems to not even notice the chickens. I've read lots of things saying they aren't harmful, and even beneficial for, chickens but....

I am still traumatized from my last encounter with the bees, and now know I'm "slightly" allergic to their stings after spending two weeks swollen with hives and a fever. I fairly certain now that my chickens will probably be fine if I just let them be and I have no intent to cause the bees harm, but I am scared they will multiply and sting/swarm when I go anywhere near the feeders. I'm in there a lot (the run/coop), at least three times a day. Is there anything I can do to keep them from... I guess being around? I know they gotta eat too but I don't want to hurt them and I also don't want to get hurt.

Any advise is appreciated, thank you.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

Oh wow. First I’m so sorry about your family, especially your poor pup We’re they regular honey bees? That’s so odd. I’m wondering if the handful of bees you’re seeing now are the same kind? We get yellow jackets horribly but the bees don’t usually go for anything but flowers and water, not feed. Sorry not much advice.

 

[Moodleroni]

Oh wow. First I’m so sorry about your family, especially your poor pup We’re they regular honey bees? That’s so odd. I’m wondering if the handful of bees you’re seeing now are the same kind? We get yellow jackets horribly but the bees don’t usually go for anything but flowers and water, not feed. Sorry not much advice.

I am not sure what kind they were, but the guy said he took the queen with a large portion of the hive, and told me the hive had honey and that it was about the size of a beach ball or bigger. He said I probably got too close or they felt threatened by me because as soon as the first one stung me they all swarmed.

I would have lost two dogs if my boxer wasn't inside at the time. She is severly allergic to bees and has almost died twice by eating them when she was a pup.

Yea, I see them around the flowers all the time, and sometimes around the coop/run waterers, but there was a handful today and I guess it scared me a bit. I don't hate bees, I am now just scared of the possibilities if they multiply. Just wanted to get advise before it becomes too much of an issue.

 

[KimbosKluckers]

I am not sure what kind they were, but the guy said he took the queen with a large portion of the hive, and told me the hive had honey and that it was about the size of a beach ball or bigger. He said I probably got too close or they felt threatened by me because as soon as the first one stung me they all swarmed.

I would have lost two dogs if my boxer wasn't inside at the time. She is severly allergic to bees and has almost died twice by eating them when she was a pup.

Yea, I see them around the flowers all the time, and sometimes around the coop/run waterers, but there was a handful today and I guess it scared me a bit. I don't hate bees, I am now just scared of the possibilities if they multiply. Just wanted to get advise before it becomes too much of an issue.

I imagine you’d be terrified now. I hope someone can help you.

 

[Ginmary]

If possible I would try to see what direction they come from. Then, investigate the area to make sure another large hive isn't forming.

 

[aart]

Maybe set some feed dust and water closer to the hive, then they won't come to the coop/run.

 

[Moodleroni]

I imagine you’d be terrified now. I hope someone can help you.

Thank you, me too. Any advise is appreciated.

 

[Moodleroni]

Maybe set some feed dust and water closer to the hive, then they won't come to the coop/run.

Yea, ill have to look and see if I can figure out where their hive is now. It's not in the trees, that I can see anyways.

 

[Moodleroni]

If possible I would try to see what direction they come from. Then, investigate the area to make sure another large hive isn't forming.

Yea, I agree.
I've seen a few of them fly over a brick wall separating my backyard from an alley, but from there I'd have no idea.
I have checked my trees and I don't see/hear anything yet but I'll check again tomorrow.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They can't multiply without a queen. But there may be a queen and hive in the area. Agree, try to see where they go after they collect some of the chicken feed. They may be taking it back to their hive just as they would pollen. The feed probably has some molasses in it and that's what's attracting them. When you find the hive, call your beekeeper again and have him collect and remove them. Good luck! (And I'm so sorry about your little dog.)