The run is loaded with flies

[MROO]

I was reading thru this and wondered why no one mentioned the sticky fly strips, and here you are. I have used these for years, hang them from the rafters, when they are almost full just dispose them in a plastric bag. Works great and cheap, you can order them from Amazon if you cannot find them. I also use a drop board and clean it every day, really helps with the fly problem.

Be REALLY careful with sticky fly strips! If you have flyers, you'll have issues. Most likely, no one mentioned them because, in a coop or run, they collect more dust and feathers than flies. It's also impossible to get them off of chickens ... or to get chickens off of them! Even worse , if your coop/run doesn't have REALLY high ceilings, you'll end up with that evil mess in your hair. The only way to get it out is with scissors!
I've found the best way to get rid of and prevent flies is - as many have suggested - to dry out the run. One of the best, easiest and inexpensive ways to soak up the moisture is to dump a few bags of horse bedding pellets in there. As they absorb the mess, the pellets swell and break down into sawdust - totally non-toxic to your birds and good for composting if you ever need to shovel the stuff back out. Toss in some wood chips and a few evergreen branches (let your birds spread them around for you) and you have instant , natural organic flooring!

 

[knobhillfarm]

Picture please

 

[Dragonfly Farm]

My girls run is suddenly loaded with flies. How do I safely rid the run of them? Obviously can't use poison. What's effective but safe? And how do I prevent this from being a routine issue?

I sprinkle Fly Predators around the outside my coop and run. I also sprinkle them around my horse barn and paddocks. I've been using them since 2019 and have almost no flies at all. Just don't spread them around where the girls can get them...Spaulding-labs.com

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

So, mulch?

I have 4-6 inches dry pine chips in my 8x20 run and in coop (coop has 6-8 inches). My run is covered so it stays dry. There has never been an problem with wet poops or flies with 11 birds.
I chip my own pine but if that is not an option for you, give your local township or power utilities a call. Power companies contract with tree trimmers and they may be willing to dump a truckload off for you. Or call a local tress service to dump a load, just make sure there isn't cedar as its toxic to chickens.

 

[PhoenixinNevada]

Try getting fly traps and fly strips that hang, another thing I've heard is fill sandwich bags with water and hang those.
These are the methods I know that are not poisonous, fly traps can exspensive you can buy the jars rather than the bags then reuse them with a bait.

 

[Rosebud25]

My girls run is suddenly loaded with flies. How do I safely rid the run of them? Obviously can't use poison. What's effective but safe? And how do I prevent this from being a routine issue?

Lots of local lumber mills here in Kentucky have sawdust and shavings. That's your best choice and it's good for the garden later. My local one loads my pickup with either for free. Whatever you do don't wet it down. You need to keep it as dry as possible.

 

[KKicons]

I used fly paper strips. They are cheap and dont smell bad. I don't think they have poison. My birbs ignored them.

 

[L. Buxton]

My girls run is suddenly loaded with flies. How do I safely rid the run of them? Obviously can't use poison. What's effective but safe? And how do I prevent this from being a routine issue?

I have a bug zapper hung in my coop and also fly strips hanging by bug zapper. I leave it on all the time especially at night, my coop is dark and bugs swarm around it in the darkness. I do notice a lot of dead flies, so my girls take care of them.

 

[saracarver3]

Get the racquet electric? bug swatter - tractor supply

 

[PhoenixinNevada]

Try getting fly traps and fly strips that hang, another thing I've heard is fill sandwich bags with water and hang those.
These are the methods I know that are not poisonous, fly traps can exspensive you can buy the jars rather than the bags then reuse them with a bait.

I've had horses most my life and have had to deal with flies. Tried the predator about idk 12 to 15 years ago I don't know if they ever hatched, biggest difference I've seen is the fly traps bags or jars you hang and the strips, warning the bags and jar baits stink guess they are fly pheromones, so may want to hang them a little ways away to lure them away, you can get them at Walmart, home depot etc..