Looking for Guidance

[FrostRanger]

Deep litter method put simply is a deep layer of litter - usually wood chips or mulch - and rather than cleaning it out when it gets messed up you mix it up and then add more. The wood chips and the poop decompose to make a nice compost. I like it 'cause it's extremely low maintenanced and it gives you useful fertilizer (seriously, that stuff is magic in the garden). It also keeps the smell down and gives the girls something to scratch through

 

[KimbosKluckers]

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

Thanks for posting a link to this. I’ve used Bronco fly spray and I think the flies like it. Maybe this is better.

I’ve always had some flies because we have a pet pig but he’s very clean so it wasn’t a problem until we got chickens. Oh the fight is real. The fly traps work but stink and need changing often! I use the disposable ones, I’m not about to clean a used one to reuse it. Ew. I use deep litter in the run (mulch) but I think I’ll go even deeper. Every few days I turn it. No flies in my coop though, currently using straw but I think I’m going back to pine shavings.

 

[paintedChix]

Agree w/ others regarding size of both of your coops vs # of chickens you looking to have.

Here is another fly trap.

Ranch Pest Control

I'll have to do some more digging around, i know there are others as well. If you don't want to use pesticides.

One easier way to do your DLM, would be to put your coop (s) up on cinder blocks. Then put your litter in - part way up the cinder block height. As it breaks down, while digesting chicken waste, you add more.

If you can get mulch, as described previously by Aart, great. But so many more things... grass clippings, garden waste, the shavings from the inside of the coop, pine pellets (horse bedding), hay/straw (can be issues), shredded paper/cardboard/junk mail, pine straw. Smallish branches w/ nuts or pinecones. Leaves in the fall.

In a larger run set up, setting up any extra area for compost. You can put kitchen waste there. In your smaller ones, pretty sure you will not have the room...

Here is some of what I've done - DLM.

I've had flies around the ponies (not many), but DLM seems to take care of flies in our coops/pens/runs... Even when I had juvenile chickens running in my raised beds, prepping them. There are many, many examples of DLM throughout BYC. You can search it.

Also, here is a great video. This is BeeKissed (not sure she's still on BYC)

DLM in hooped coop

LOTS of videos out there now. Everyone does DLM a little differently. Since you are already having issues with flies, using some other ideas for control good. One way to get wood chips or mulch is chipdrop or local arborists (i never did get chipdrop to work, but know others here in NC have).

Another issue - I can't remember for sure, but in your climate, you may also need to open gup more ventilation in both of those TSC coops. Otherwise, they are nice!!

Took me a bit, probably others have shared this as well...



Edit to add - LOVE the flower mural on your privacy fence!!