I've been considering Muscovies for quite a while, and this just gives me one more reason to covet them, but I have to sell my husband on the idea. He still reminds me that 'his' original plan was for 4-6 chickens. I did a current count last night and I'm DOWN to 72 now. He's a wonderfully patient man, but I really don't want to test the limits of that patience.
I think someone else here may have addressed how the trap works, but the simple answer is you activate the poison with water, the flies are attracted to it and fly up into the hole at the bottom, get trapped and die. But ventilation is extremely important when using these. That's why it's hanging on the outside porch of my chicken cabin rather than inside any of the coops. I'm also thinking of hanging one from one of our trees under which a lot of flies seem to hang out.
can you use water with vinegar, beer and some fruit juice instead of poison? this works for sure and vinegar does not attract bees. my parents used the bottle trap with this staff when they had bees. that way you and your animals would be safe, no ventilation needed. you could feed your chickens with those dead flies.
