Looking for Guidance

[BigBlueHen53]

Can somebody post a pic of this "pop trap"? Pls?

 

[Sally PB]

https://idiggreenacres.com/products/rescue-disposable-fly-trap
Sorry, tried to get a picture, but this was faster.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I think overcrowding is the main issue here. The small coop I would realistically keep 2-3 in and the larger coop's run is only big enough for 10 with the coop itself holding less (you want 4 square feet of coop space per bird and 10 square feet of run space at a minimum). Moving them to the big coop will help with flies but it's going to be awfully cramped for 12 birds

x2. Too many birds in too small of a space means clean outs will need to be much more frequent than in a larger set up. In addition, if you're using sand the expectation is you clean up daily or maybe every other day. Sand works in dry climates but does require frequent cleaning.

 

[RojoMarz]

Can somebody post a pic of this "pop trap"? Pls?

This is what I used

 

[Backyardexplorer]

Thank you all so much for the information! I put down a layer of pine shavings this evening in the run. Thank you for pointing out that cedar shavings are not what I should be using, I had no idea. I bought pine shavings today.

As far as overcrowding, I hear you! We have 7 chickens in this current small coop, however they are still relatively small in size (under 12 weeks). That being said, we will be moving the girls into their new larger coop over the weekend.

Again, I appreciate everyone’s advice and will definitely implement the recommended changes. Thank you for taking the time to help out a newbie.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

That's what we're here for! Stick around and before you know it, you'll be the one helping out the newbies!

 

[SourRoses]

As an additional measure, we use a horse fly spray called "Endure" on non-contact surfaces. Places like under support beams, up high on a wall... under human lawn chairs and armrests. It's claim to fame is that it stays where you put it and lasts, and so it does. Whatever ingredient is in there to keep horses from sweating off the spray also works against the elements. It's a once a week spray for us and you can tell where we used it by walking around and feeling the flies either landing on you, or not!
Note: We are on a farm with many kinds of animals and manure piles, so keeping things dry in the coop is not enough.

However, it's super duper important to use it carefully. You don't want it anywhere near food and water. Or for the spray to blow onto contact surfaces like roosts, lower walls, bedding, nests, etc.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You don't want it anywhere near food and water. Or for the spray to blow onto contact surfaces like roosts, lower walls, bedding, nests, etc.

Is it toxic to chickens?

 

[SourRoses]

Is it toxic to chickens?

I don't know, but I treat it as if it were toxic. As in, I don't want them to touch or inhale it, and definitely absolutely not consume it. I only let the chickens back in the coop when it's dry, and I take my time applying it so it doesn't go anywhere it shouldn't (using a sponge to dab it in out of the way places, while wearing gloves is another option). It does not require much spray to repel the flies from the structure.

But there's a certain level of pest burden that requires the big guns. I prefer natural solutions, but they just don't compare.


ETA: Link... https://www.farnam.com/all-products/fly-insect-control/endure

 

[Backyardexplorer]

Some flies are inevitable, but if there are a lot of them, I would set up some fly traps outside the run where your birds can't get to it (don't use fly paper if you can help it though, it's easy for it to fall and get stuck on a chicken). I personally use mulch in my run. I don't clean it ever, I do deep litter inside my coop and run so the poop gets mixed with the mulch and decomposes. No smell and very low maintenance plus, free compost

What is deep litter? Do you mean a deep layer or mulch?