Gnats killed my babies

[GldnValleyHens]

5 of my flock are now dead, I found them in the coop, the rest were hiding in the nest boxes, some half dead. I have no words for how horrible it is. Clouds of vicious, aggressive, biting gnats, swarms so thick you can’t breathe. I have never seen such a bad year. I am devastated to lose good, beautiful laying hens, and my sweet baby Edmond, a Porcelain D’Uccle roo. I am so sad.
I put the survivors in my garage, in a large dog kennel, but some are not looking too good. My Australorp looks anemic she is so pale, and my Polish is listless, weak, unable to really eat. I treated them all with essential oil bug killer, and cleaned and even vacuumed the many gnats off of my Polish, but I think she won’t make it. I’ve never experienced anything this bad before

 

[pennyJo1960]

Oh my do you have like rooster booster or nutri drench or gatorade
not sure anything else you could do

 

[GldnValleyHens]

Oh my do you have like rooster booster or nutri drench or gatorade
not sure anything else you could do

I have electrolytes, I mixed with water, and also added apple cider vinegar to the water, just for a immune boost. But my Polish is not drinking, and with her weakened state and large nostrils, I don’t want her to aspirate by trying to make her drink

 

[pennyJo1960]

try to dip her beak just bit or use a rag wet with it at her beak

 

[aart]

Clouds of vicious, aggressive, biting gnats, swarms so thick you can’t breathe.

Actually are probably Black Flies.
Were they in the coop too?
Haven't had them that bad, but have read a fan and/or real vanilla will repel them from the coop/roost area.
Sorry for your losses.

 

[anderstr196]

I’m so sorry for your losses. the buffalo gnats/black flies are absolutely horrible this year! I used permethrin in and around my coops then, as much as I could, the perimeter of the wooded area of our property. Doing all the spraying seemed to help, and the rise in temperature. I wish there was a sure way of keeping them away for good!

 

[mixedUPturk]

I have electrolytes, I mixed with water, and also added apple cider vinegar to the water, just for a immune boost. But my Polish is not drinking, and with her weakened state and large nostrils, I don’t want her to aspirate by trying to make her drink

So sorry. Someone else on here just lost an ayam Cemani hen thought she had gotten her out of the swarm in time but no so be prepared there may be more losses. I lost 42 birds(41 quail) to the gnats. Essential oils arent good enough for these very extream issues, ud have to put it on them like everyday twice a day in my experience w the gnats. I tried a natural spray thats for sale at TSC just yesterday, because it was already on hand. Just a test. Four hours it kept the bloodsuckers at bay. Ive treated my yard and the surrounding yards 9 times now w permethrin so that i can bring my kids outside, works until the next grass cut or rain. I hope you have survivors. Flipn things make u wanna wear ear plugs and a mask, another person suggested ear muffs to me.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have electrolytes, I mixed with water, and also added apple cider vinegar to the water, just for a immune boost. But my Polish is not drinking, and with her weakened state and large nostrils, I don’t want her to aspirate by trying to make her drink

I suggest rooster booster brand Poultry Cell.. it is a blood builder and superior to any probiotic. If not that then Poultry Nutri Drench.

Sorry for your loss.

I also bought Permethrin when I was battling mosquitoes for my goats. Highly recommended... (not for cats)

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I don’t want her to aspirate by trying to make her drink

I drip liquid just below the nostrils... they usually swallow when it rolls around into their mouth.

 

[getaclue]

Try some dried basil in the coop. Just sprinkle it around all over. If the chickens eat it, it won't hurt them. It may not work on the type you're dealing with, but I know it greatly reduces flies, and gnats. I was skeptical at first too, but decided to try it. I'm so glad I did. Oh, and it leaves the coops, and runs smelling good too.