Are flies always a problem with chicken coops?

[Chelps03]

I don’t have my coop setup yet but I’ve heard the stories of flies being a problem and was curious if that was always a problem. Thanks

 

[nuthatched]

It helps if the run is big enough so things don't build up and the run has dry material like dirt, leaves, woodchips etc to assist break down .

 

[3KillerBs]

They haven't been a problem for me.

I use Deep Bedding in closed coops and Deep Litter in my open air coops and my runs and I'm careful not to overcrowd them so that more poop builds up than the litter can handle.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

The big thing with keeping flies down is keeping moisture/wet spots down and not letting poop pile up.

 

[My Bagurks]

Flies can be a bad thing in excess. A few here and there are obviously going to happen, but swarms are very bad. BUT, black soldier flies are a good thing. Theyre skinnier than regular house flies. Their larvae are one of the best organic converters on the planet. They help break down lots of things, chickens love them, and they’re super healthy for chickens.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The big thing with keeping flies down is keeping moisture/wet spots down and not letting poop pile up.

I agree with this. Flies need something to lay their eggs in that will support their larva. Different flies use different things. With chickens that is poop thick enough that it stays wet or maybe something wet that is rotting. That could be feed that stays wet or wet bedding. Flies love all kinds of animal manure if it stays wet, it contains what their larva need to eat.

 

[Ted Brown]

Like @3KillerBs I use deep bedding in the coop and deep litter in the run; I also use drop boards/PDZ under the roosts, clean them at least 3-4 times per week and move the waste to a compost heap where it is mixed with cooking waste/leaves/etc.

I replace the deep bedding once per year, more because of dust from droppings that dry out and break down than anything else. I have never cleaned my run just gather up dried leaves/needles in the fall and add this to the run sometimes 2-3 feet deep. BTW my flock goes nuts for 2-3 days while they wade/dig through the added litter material. I am in my 4th year with chickens.

Not even my compost heap has flies,

 

[Iaseye]

Like @3KillerBs I use deep bedding in the coop and deep litter in the run; I also use drop boards/PDZ under the roosts, clean them at least 3-4 times per week and move the waste to a compost heap where it is mixed with cooking waste/leaves/etc.

I replace the deep bedding once per year, more because of dust from droppings that dry out and break down than anything else. I have never cleaned my run just gather up dried leaves/needles in the fall and add this to the run sometimes 2-3 feet deep. BTW my flock goes nuts for 2-3 days while they wade/dig through the added litter material. I am in my 4th year with chickens.

Not even my compost heap has flies,

What do you mean deep bedding and deep litter? I'm new sorry about the question lol

 

[3KillerBs]

My Deep Bedding article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/using-deep-bedding-in-a-small-coop.76343/

 

[Ted Brown]

What do you mean deep bedding and deep litter? I'm new sorry about the question lol

No problem.

Both terms refer to the use of materials (pine shavings, mulch, straw, etc.) as bedding on the floor or ground. It is usually piled to several inches and refreshed as necessary over time.

Deep litter is usually restricted to runs as the intent is to promote composting action which requires microbes from natural soil to work. Deep bedding does not compost.

There are many references and better explanations of both these on this site