CAN BACKYARD CHICKENS AND BEES CO-EXIST?

KEEPING HONEY BEES & CHICKENS TOGETHER: Honey bees and chickens can get along famously.

Chickens can happily free range even with bee hives present. Sometimes, they like to hang out in front of the hive snacking on bees that are fully loaded with pollen coming in for a landing returning to the hive. If this is the case, chickens can be deterred with temporary fencing. People who live in areas with bears keep their hives inside of the chicken's run for safety. Chickens will hop on top and roost on the hives, happily coexisting. Flock keepers, as a precaution, will lock the chickens into the coop when the hives need to be opened or manipulated.

Chickens will pick clean the areas under the hives, cleaning up hive debris and dead bees. They will also eat live bugs and beetles that prey on the hives.

Chickens will pick honey comb clean of unwanted and unnecessary debris.

Some people place their hives on the roofs of their chicken coops.

Sometimes, chickens will get stung, but not often.

Swarming bees will not bother chickens. Apparently, swarming honey bees are rather docile.