some kind of fly?

[trudyg]

I scoop the poop every morning, as soon as the automatic doors goes up I'm out with feed, clean water and the scooper. This morning there were lots of flies, like large fruit flies, all over the poop board. What's up with that? I understand flies, etc, but these were very small and not the normal house/barn fly. I have mostly pullets and today there were 2 jelly eggs in the poop board-do you think that's why the flies? I've been fighting the nasty butt thing all summer--not smelly like gleet, but I've gotta say that's the first thing I thought of when I saw these flies, that fruit flies like yeasty smells. I sprayed with the horse kind of fly spray after I cleaned everything and plan to do a super clean up this weekend anyway, but geez. What will I see next?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Could just be a swarm of gnats. We had them here in Wisconsin a few weeks ago. Big clouds of them. I would check out your birds to make sure nothing is feasting on their poopy butts just to be sure.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

They were probably attracted to the eggs, as you said.

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

We've had swarms of buffalo gnats this year and they have been everywhere. In the coop, all over the hog/ chicken pasture, in the woods, all over our gardens. They look like big fruit flies and if they land on you, they bite. Nasty creatures. I too agree that it was probably those eggs that brought them in, but they also like poop.

 

[trudyg]

I just went out to look--no poop, since I scooped this morning, and still gnats. No one has any bugs on them, so I guess it's just a normal gnat. Thanks.

 

[aart]

There are so many types of insects...and many types of flies.
Hard to say what they are and why they're in the coop.
Chances are they'll all be dead within a few days as most insects don't live long.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

What if these flies are eggs that have grown out of infections from your chickens?!! I'd make sure to check your chickens over, especially their vents.

 

[Grits&Eggs]

Not sure about soft egg etc. but...to combat my bug problem I bought a reusable fly trap -- drop in some dog poo, fill with an inch of water and flies from miles around seem to come to the house - ugh....but at least they are not in the coop or on my birds!!

 

[JeanetteDunn]

Does DE work?

 

[Folly's place]

Fly traps work by attracting them, so set them away from your house and coop!
Permethrin spray or dust will kill them, and can be used on and around the chickens. DE is not safer, and is less effective.
Hope these midges, or whatever they are, leave soon!
Mary