Flying nat like things on/around chickens and in Coop

[chicken legs]

what are these and do they carry disease? They're so tiny. Smaller than a fruit fly but with the same type of whispy behavior. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

 

[LynneP]

We get them some years, others not so much. I think you're right about them being some kind of gnat and if they are the same ones, they have a nasty little bite which itches and leaves a blood mark. You can rid your coop of them, by hanging a no-pest strip like those made by Vapona, Black Flag and Home Hardware. They cost about $11 and last at least 3 months. Won't hurt your birds.

 

[Portia]

Sounds to me like black flies (also known as noseeums)! When I lived in MI we used to get them midstate and up each year around May-June. Nasty little buggers. Let the chickens eat em, won't hurt em and there'll be less around to bite you!