Help quick please

[holahead]

Ok I am having a little bit of a problem. I put my 10 nine week old chicks outside this past Sunday. Well today I go down to feed them and they are some kind of gnat looking creatures everywhere. They are all over the coop and are on everything. What can I do to get them away. I had to take my chicks out but I need to put them back in there before tonight. Can someone please help me?

 

[EC]

This might help the chickens but not the coop, but have you tried dusting the chickens?

 

[morelcabin]

Are they on the birds as well? Do you have a picture? It seems funny that they would be licwe or ticks and be all over the coop, usually they stay right on the birds. Are you sure they aren't springtails or something like that? Here's a link to springtails

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2070.html

 

[espressola]

Is the bedding/footing wet? Could you spread some Sweet PDZ or Stable Dri around to absorb any moisture? Or some DE? Is there food that got wet somewhere in the coop or run? The gnats probably aren't bothering your babies, but it is a little yucky....

Patty N. ;-)

 

[holahead]

Yes they were/are and the chicks as well. Some of them have little bloody spots and there legs. I am assuming this is from the insects. I got a rake and spread the dirt around so it would dry up. It has been raining here all week but the coop I build is up off the ground. I got them out but they still have some on them in there feathers. I am at wits end I don't know what to do. I was raking the dirt around and they were all over me. I had to get a long sleeve shirt and a head net I wear when I go hunting.

 

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

That sounds really strange. Ive never heard of anything like that before. I would suggest getting a fogger and setting it off inside the coop. Then spraying it out after it airs out for a few hours. Then putting the birds in a bath to clean them off. Use some dog shampoo with flea medication in it to clean them with. I would use something mild for puppies. I hope that helps some.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Do you live somewhere with a black fly population? Try calling a local vet to ask about parasitic gnats or flies that might be in your area. If these are bothering your chickens, they're probably bothering other people's cats & dogs.