our 3 month old chicks are dying! Deer flies?

[leenslabs]

We had four die last night and now the rest are all looking bad. We think it is from the terrible biting deer flies that are here? We cant even go outside without getting eaten alive, so I feel like this is what is happening to them. Does anyone know what we can do? Thanks so much

 

[gumpsgirl]

That will definitely do it.

Can you bring them inside by chance? If the deer flies bite and suck to much blood, which is what I believe is happening, then the chicks just won't survive. Same with anything else really.

Try adding some electrolytes to their water and see if that helps too.

Good luck and welcome to BYC.

 

[leenslabs]

We are making them a place to stay in our basement right now, and my husband is going to screen over the chicken wire on the coop before we put them back out. We live so far from anywhere to get electrolytes can I actually give them gatorade and should we do anything else for them? Also, is there anything else we can do to eliminate these terrible flies? Thanks so much for your quick reply!

 

[wenlo]

Quote:
I've heard vanilla helps, but haven't tried it myself.

 

[TreeHugger]

They are buffalo gnats - at least that what we have in the MO area. I've lost 4 birds during the last week. Right now I have fly strips hanging in my pens & I've even been using bug smokers (tiki torches) around my coop. They are still an issue with my chickens. Vanilla is suppose to be a deterrant & I've been spraying it on my birds in the morning. To be honest locking them is probably the only sure way to keep the bugs off them. The screen wire should help. The only good news is that they are only an issue for a few weeks & then they go away until next year. Good Luck!

 

[leenslabs]

This really stinks, we were so excited to have chickens again. We were flooded out of our house 2 years ago and had to give all our chickens, turkeys and ducks away. We are starting our lives over and can not afford this loss financially or emotionally

We have never had this problem before and I am just hoping the rest of them make it. Thanks again

 

[wenlo]

Quote:
Right - buffalo gnats not deer flies. I forgot. Vanilla is what the locals are using: http://www.fox2now.com/news/ktvi-buffalo-gnats-invade-jerseyville-042810,0,5000501.story

 

[gumpsgirl]

That is just so disheartening and I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. It seems like someone, somewhere has issues every year.

I'd try the vanilla thing, as it certainly couldn't hurt at this point.

As for the Gatorade, I don't know that I'd go that route. It might be fine, but I'd be worried to try it.

Do you have any Vitamin E capsules? If so, poke a hole in the end of one and squirt one whole capsule in each birds beak. I'd do it again for 3 days.

Also try giving them some scrambled eggs to help boost their protein level and if there is anyway you can get to a farm supply store, the electrolytes will help tremendously.

 

[leenslabs]

We are in the St Charles area of Missouri and I can not wait until these terrible flies/gnats are gone. We cant even water our garden without getting eaten alive, my poor chickens. I hope we can find someone in the area who may have some extra chicks or chickens to help us build our flock after this fly season is over. We have them all moved into our basement now, there is one that is looking pretty bad, hopefully the rest make it now that they are inside. Can we give them gatorade? I will definately remember to try the vanilla next year if this is an issue again, we also always use those fly strips for the coop and our dog kennel, and we are also screening the entire coop. Thanks for all the continued advice and I love this forum

 

[gumpsgirl]

Here's a thread about someone giving their chicks gatorade if you are interested.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3894839

Like I said previously, I don't know that I would do it but these people did and it worked just fine. Be sure to read the full thread and pay attention to the dilution if you do decide to do it though.

Good luck!