Little gray/black fly things biting my chickens

[ManBoyMan]

Hello,

I have had my chickens for a couple of months now, and they have started to lay eggs. I was looking at one, and a small gray (kinda looks like a miniature bee) fly lands on one of my barred rock's face. The next day, I went out and looked for the small bugs and they were on all of my chickens. I am wondering what these little bugs are and how I get rid of them. So far the only way I can get rid of them, is grabbing my chickens one by one, and poking the flies (which only if I touch them fly off). My problem is this does not exterminate these little pests.
Also when ever the fly comes off, there is usually a small bubble of blood that forms where the fly was standing. For some reason, when it rains the bugs are not present.

I will try to post a picture of the little bugs when I can.

Thanks, ManBoyMan

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I don't know what pest this is, but if they are not around when it is wet, why don't you wash your chickens in a little water? It won't get rid of all of them (probably) but would feel good to the chickens. Once you get a picture of the pest, it will be easier to identify.

 

[TreeHugger]

Look up buffalo gnat and see if that is what they are. They can kill your chickens (believe it or not) by biting them and/or blocking their nostrils. Some years they can be a huge issues and I spray my birds with vanilla and burn citronella torches in the runs.

 

[ManBoyMan]

It seems like they might be buffalo gnats. Should I spray them with vanilla? I cant burn citronella torches because my coop and run are wooden

Also thanks for the reply
ManBoyMan

 

[TreeHugger]

You can spray them with Vanilla, it will work but is temporary. I've heard skin-so-soft wiped on their comb and feathers works. If they get really bad it might be a good idea to lock them in their coops and spray permethrin outside the coop and run. Gnats have a short life cycle. Usually in a few weeks they are gone. I'm sure there are other ways to deal with them. Just watch your birds. I lost some chickens about 6 years ago to gnats before I realized how bad they were.

 

[ManBoyMan]

Here is a picture of one of the gnats on one of my barred rock's comb.