Sudden death [graphic pics]

[emvickrey]

We have thousends of gnats around here. Everytime I go out to feed they are all in my face. It drives me insane. A few years ago the gnats where so bad that livestock and wile animals where being killed by them. they would get all in their faces and suffocate them and infect their eyes and ears. People had to wear something over their noses and mouth to go outside. It looks like it's gonna be that way again this year. My eyes are sore from just today. It may be from all the rain we've had and everything is so wet still. Just a guess. I noticed one of my roos was being pestered by them and so are the quail.

I'm sorry you lost nearly all your birds. That is devastating. I've hatched out nearly every bird I have and if that ever happened to me I would just give up. Such a huge loss. I do hope you find out whats going on soon. I'll be putting fans out tomorrow

Oh, and those buffalo flies, we have those and their bite/sting is alot like a fire ant bite. It hurts and leaves a blister. I was wondering that those where. I think we could do without them myself along with the flies, gnats, bees, wasps, spiders, snakes, mice and rats. I'm sure I left something out.

 

[TreeHugger]

I had buffalo gnats kill five of my birds last year in a few days before I figured out what the issue was. They are bad in my area this year but nothing like last year (so far). I was just discussing with someone yesterday on whether I thought they were going to be a major issue this spring.

I will say that if the birds are locked inside their coops the gnats don't bother them. After seeing this post I'm taking the offensive and taking measures to protect my birds. I was hoping gnat season was coming to an end...

 

[CupOJoe42]

You might want to try to wipe down you chickens with Avon Skin So Soft and hang some Vanilla Car Tree Air fresheners around. I've read that this helped other people with the same problem! So sorry for your tragic losses!!!

 

[Mr.Darth]

Now reading this Im getting concerned. Im new on the scene as far as raising chickens. I purchased 2-3 day old chicks probably early April. Seems like every time I had a question about something Id type it in Google and it would always lead me to this forum. And I have to say found all my answers to every question I have had ever since. I started with 13 chicks and still have 13 Chicks which are very healthy and energetic. When I purchased these they were all sexed as being females and so far all indications are that they are all females. They are getting quite big and sure they are going to be getting much bigger. These are (Lets face it) Pets. Im in it for the eggs only. The last few days Ive noticed a bunch of gnats , Im wondering if the fact I have chickens are attracting them. I dont think they are buffalo gnats but they sure are pesky. Makes going outside not to much fun . I cant tell if these are the gnats I should be concerned about. Ive done put alot of time in keeping these chickens healthy and happy. Some of the solutions mentioned, Im wondering if it would work even for these gnats cause I do like to go out and sit in the yard and hand feed my chickens. I also notice that the chickens are bothered/annoyed with these critters lighting on them. Pretty much my birds are free ranging. I get up every morning and let them out and in the evening around 7:00 pm they make their way back to the coop to roost for the night. They do not wander very far from the coop and from time to time throughout the day they do go back to the coop looks like for some R&R.
My flock consists of 3 Buff Orps, 3 White Leghorns, 3 Barred rocks, 2 Black SL, 2 Araucaunas

 

[NortonGameBirds]

I've never heard of buffalo knats? Are they only located in certain areas??

 

[AngelzFyre]

Quote:
From what I read, yes, they seem to be indiginous to certain areas but do travel quite a few miles within those areas. Moving water also makes a difference for them to thrive.

A lot of gardening centers and co ops carry insect netting that is usually 6ft in width and from 20 to 50 ft in length. You could put this up around a run..but if you free range, it'd be hard to do in a huge area.
It also said that they tend to not come inside and only come out a certain time of year and life cycle expectancy wasn't year round. Thank God!

I cannot imagine what it'd be like to have to endure these horrible gnats...the little regular gnats we have here from time to time are so irritating..can't bear to think of them being bigger and bite and sting!

Thanks to OP for posting about them so we can be aware, prepared and on the lookout!

 

[sweeterdeeter42]

Oh wow, that is ridiculous! GNATS!

I hate them. But I didnt think they could kill. Now I will be on the lookout for them for sure. Hope they dont come up this far. Ive never heard of them, so just maybe I am too far north. It is so horrible that they got your whole purebred flock. I hope you get a 100% hatch rate on those eggs so you can start over somewhat.

 

[Okie Amazon]

So sorry about your birds; I wasn't aware of these little monsters. Yikes, apparently they are due to have a cycle here in Oklahoma right about now.

 

[DinosRBirds]

oh noooooo!

 

[Whiskey Bay]

We have the black flies (aka cattle flies) here also.Though I've never heard of them killing an animal.MAybe they have and none of us rednecks knew it.... We see them mostly on the cows.They cover them like...well,flies.... Used to think they were regular houseflies drawn to them cause of the poop,but when you get close they attack you. I have to watch my 4 yr old because she is highly allergic to all insect bites.