flies, flies, flies!

[Andora]

This year we've had a lot of flies in our yard, and since we got the chickens it has intensified beyond belief. There are seriously swarms of flies out there, and I have been raking their poop and sprinkling Stall Dry all over the place. I also have up fly tape in several places, which is helping a little but not putting a dent in the population. I'm so sick of the nasty flies! I'm going to look for cintronella oil and try that mix...

 

[ivoryhoof farm]

I swear by DE - food grade! It can be hard to find. Get the 20 or 50lb bag- your feed store may be able to supply you with it. Those tiny gallon size bags won't go far. We sprinkle it on the horses, add 1/4 cup to their feed. sprinkle - a generous sprinkle in the horse stalls, in and around the chicken coop. The down fall is that everything is covered with white powder. But we really don't have many fly's. I do use the Spaulding fly preditors but then you must be careful that the chickens don't eat your investment. Also hang fly bags way, way far at the end of your property- closest to your least favorite neighbor

 

[Andora]

I've heard so many good things about DE. I found 50 pound bags at a local feed store, but they are $45. I'm counting down the days until my husband's next paycheck so I can get some! I've read it helps fleas and de-worms, and since I have four cats and two dogs we could really use some flea treatment that isn't toxic and expensive. It's been a terrible year for fleas as well as flies here in Kentucky!

Do you know if fly tape is dangerous to chickens? I hung a strip at hen level because hanging it up high was catching me zero flies, and it worked....the strip is covered in nasty, buzzing flies...but I walked out there this afternoon to find Big Momma hen pecking the flies off and eating them!!

 

[consdrs]

Do you know if fly tape is dangerous to chickens?

IDK
But that cracks me up... mmmmm sticky snacks on a strip!

I hung those in my run... well, lets just say chickens don't like baths. well mine didn't any way. had to cut most of the strip off of one of my girls that wanted to check it out. What a sticky, feathery, mess. hang them out of reach of your chickens and be careful of getting it caught in your hair, that is bad too....

 

[Jenski]

For those interested, here is the other thread with the vinegar fly trap recipe ~

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=842770#p842770

They work great, and don't smell up the yard.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Someone's chicken a while back got stuck to a fly trap. Poor chook! She's was OK but sticky & gross from the trap.