Fly control

[veronicadm8]

Hi everyone!
I currently have about 20 chickens and two turkeys (as well as 7 new turkey poults, but won't be keeping them). This year, I'm trying several new approaches to fly control including spraying down the coop weekly with a mixture of vinegar, essential oils, and vanilla, using DE in the coop and run, planting "fly repellent" herbs in the run, as well as of course daily maintenance and fly predators- which I have used in the past and do make some difference. But my goal is close to no flies. Anyone keep muscovy ducks for pest control? I'm considering getting just a couple. I know ducks are messy and have a hard time imagining that they eat more bugs than they would attract. Thanks for any input!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have muscovy that are good at foraging for bugs in my yard. We still get some flies, we use the fly jars as well as the fly strips, both work well.

 

[veronicadm8]

I use the jars and strips as well. How messy are they compared to chickens or turkeys? Never had ducks before.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I use the jars and strips as well. How messy are they compared to chickens or turkeys? Never had ducks before.

My muscovy shoot liquid poop, and get water everywhere in winter which turns to ice. I think they are about the same mess as chickens or turkeys, just a different kind of mess.

My muscovy don't dig stuff up or damage plants like chickens, and they can be left to free range unlike my turkeys which are obnoxious running free.

You do need to be diligent about breaking up nests with muscovy or you can be quickly overrun. We learned that lesson early when 5 ducks turned to 50 in a season.

I prefer muscovy to mallard based breeds because they don't need as much water, are quieter, and are easy keepers, plus they are long lived birds.

 

[veronicadm8]

Thanks so much for the input! Are they social birds? I'm thinking just two...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks so much for the input! Are they social birds? I'm thinking just two...

They do like their own company, so 2-3 is a good idea. I would get just hens, as the males are pretty lazy and don't forage as much as the females.

 

[veronicadm8]

Thanks!!