A fly problem- how to control fly's in the coop

[missychicky]

I have a horrible problem with flys. There is a huge CLOUD of flys in the coop and it is driving me CRAZY. I think part of the problem is that I have a tree next to the coop that is just full of flys and always has been, even before the chickens. What can I do to get these flys under control?Here's some details about the coop if that helps at all-my coop is a 6x8 tin shed with air holes and a roost, and I use pine shavings for bedding. Any ideas?

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

I reccomend tossing some food grade diatomatious Eart (DE) into their litter and anywhere the flys land that is covered by the coop as DE is useless after it gets wet. The DE will emaciate the flys and the chickens will eat them. Just a thought........

 

[dondon]

try getting some of those airfreshners shaped like a tree that you put in cars the vanilla ones,other people have put this on here about the flies and they all say they work fantastic because apparently flies really hate the smell of vanilla lol hope it works for you.........dondon

 

[Elite Silkies]

Quote:
I grabbed 3 air fresheners that are suppose to be vanilla, but it isn't working to good. What is Carsin Vanilla?

 

[chica57]

They make a variety of fly traps - even the enclosed ones like bee traps you put liquid in-could you just hang that in your tree or somewhere around the coop-don't know how your setup is-but I have the bee traps all around in my trees and am never bothered by them-just have to clean them out when there full. Hope this helps !!

 

[sewchick]

I use the fly strip things. Works. Not glamorous but works. As long as the chickens cannot reach them they should work. Maybe find something to spray on the tree that will repel them. Long as it's not toxic for the chickens. Fill your coop with none biting spiders. Just some web spinners. They will catch the flies an the chickens will eat the spiders. Yeah probably a dumb idea. Vacuum them out with hubby's wet-vac.....

 

[kichohana]

flies are at the worst when it's hot and the humidity is high - and they like chicken poop too! i have a sand floor in my covered run. it stays pretty dry and i occasionally sprinkle in some DE and/or Sweet PDZ to help with the smell. i have a HUGH kitty litter scoop from the dollar store that i clean it out with, as well as a small rake. i haven't tried the vanilla tree things - there's a whole 'nother thread about that... i use the fly strips that uncoil and are ridiculously sticky. i hang 'em up outta reach of the girls, - they pretty much arent interested in them - and replace them about every 2 weeks when they're completely covered. i can't keep the heat down, it's been 95+ here for the past few weeks, but i can control the damp and the smell, which helps alleviate the fly problem.

 

[HottentotTeal]

i recommend food grade diatomaceous earth.

I bought a small bag of it for my duck aviary and it works pretty good.

 

[math ace]

I can not RECOMMEND or STRESS Enough that you must hang the yellow tape fly strips high enough that any flighty chickens (i.e LEGHORNS) will NOT end up tangled in them.

My poor leghorns keep trying me on this concept - - - - One leghorn has lost her tail feathers because I place it too close to a perch and she flew into it. Another leghorn JUMPED up and pulled the strip down.

Only my flighty birds are an issue.