Flying Black Bugs Biting My Rooster

[3speckled3]

I went outside and saw my Silkie rooster hiding in the corner of his pen absolutely covered in these little black, flying bugs. I picked him up and started getting the bugs off of him. I noticed blood on his feathers and on his face and realized that they were biting him. I checked the others, but none of them even had the bugs around them. Still, we immediately went out and started spraying everthing with some bug spray.

I looked it up and found a few choices of what they could be. Does anyone know what exactly these are and how I can get rid of them? Unfourtunately, I wasn't able to catch any pictures of the bugs because my main concern was getting rid of them. I did take some pictures of my rooster's face, though.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like midges or gnats where are you located? You could try sticky traps.

 

[3speckled3]

Sounds like midges or gnats where are you located? You could try sticky traps.

South Mississippi. We are going to set up a zapper around the pens

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Poor little guy! Not sure what those bugs could be, but sticky traps may help, but keep them out of the way from your flock. I had one hung high in the run, but my EE managed to fly off a roost into it! What a sticky mess!!!!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

South Mississippi. We are going to set up a zapper around the pens

Sounds like a great solution! Good luck!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I am wondering if using a tiny amount of fly spray like is used for cattle might keep them off his head at least.

I would spray my hand and pet it into his feathers.

Maybe a permethrin spray?

Poor dude is getting bit way to much.

 

[3speckled3]

I am wondering if using a tiny amount of fly spray like is used for cattle might keep them off his head at least.

I would spray my hand and pet it into his feathers.

Maybe a permethrin spray?

Poor dude is getting bit way to much.

We have some non-toxic insect repellent to prevent mites so I sprayed some on him and his pen and rubbed it in his feathers. I also sprayed some on my others just in case. I'm not sure how well it will work, though.

 

[21hens-incharge]

We have some non-toxic insect repellent to prevent mites so I sprayed some on him and his pen and rubbed it in his feathers. I also sprayed some on my others just in case. I'm not sure how well it will work, though.

I think even if it just keeps some away from him it will be a help. Then the zapper/fly strips etc can do the rest.

We got biting gnats when I lived in the country. They drove the cattle nuts. The big bull was smart enough to know the spray helped. He would come over and stand still so I could spray him.

 

[CCUK]

Poor little guy! Not sure what those bugs could be, but sticky traps may help, but keep them out of the way from your flock. I had one hung high in the run, but my EE managed to fly off a roost into it! What a sticky mess!!!!

I had that with a Maran pullet. I didn't see it happen. I thought she was injured with all the squawking going on. A right mess removing it.

 

[WthrLady]

Oh man Buffalo Gnats. I loathed those living down there. They are relentless!

They can kill your birds!

Keep up with the permethrin or get some Revap!