They've been in the run for three days, and the FLIES!!

[Chickendilly]

I moved my 6 eight week old chicks into their run and coop on Friday. They have transitioned very well! BUT, I can't believe how many flies are in their run already. Their coop is fly-free. We are in Central Texas, and it was a very wet weekend, to say the least. And, it's Texas, so it's hot (but not hot by Texas standards). What can I do to get rid of these flies? I hung up two RESCUE Hanging Fly Traps, and while there are flies in them, it has not cut down on the number of flies in the run (they are each about 10 feet from the run). I made a mixture of water, vinegar, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil and sprayed that around the outside of the run and inside the run. Still flies!!

Any ideas? Do you think the PDZ in the poop tray in the coop is keeping the flies out of the coop, but in the run? I also sprinkled DE in their coop before I put the bedding down. Should I sprinkle both of these in the run after they go in their coop for the night? What else can I do?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What is in your run?

Stir up the dirt or bedding to help cover the poop. Add some litter/straw/leaves, etc., so the chicks will help turn the dirt over.

 

[Chickendilly]

What is in your run?

Stir up the dirt or bedding to help cover the poop. Add some litter/straw/leaves, etc., so the chicks will help turn the dirt over.

It's still pretty much grass because they've only been out there for a few days. And, there aren't flies in the actual coop. I wasn't going to put anything down in the run until they ate all the greenery in there. But I can put in some pine shavings or hemp shavings. I sprinkled DE and PDZ in the run tonight.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'd leave it if there's still grass.

 

[DSJMHenDen]

Just my limited personal experience...I also have no flies in the coop (pdz user as well), but the run was terrible when it warmed up. I bought one of the hanging fly bait traps that smell like death, and it caught soooo many flies, but I think it brought the whole neighborhoods flies to us! I ditched that for some of the good old fashioned fly strips. While they are still around, it's not the hoard it was before. Mine had already destroyed the grass by the time the flies were out though, so i just do my best to scoop out the poop every day/ every other day depending on schedules. I'm testing more of the deep litter/wood chip method in their unroofed run area to see which we prefer (sand in the covered run). The strips are cheap and it's something at least you could try! Best of luck with your pesky flies!

 

[Kurczaklover]

I moved my 6 eight week old chicks into their run and coop on Friday. They have transitioned very well! BUT, I can't believe how many flies are in their run already. Their coop is fly-free. We are in Central Texas, and it was a very wet weekend, to say the least. And, it's Texas, so it's hot (but not hot by Texas standards). What can I do to get rid of these flies? I hung up two RESCUE Hanging Fly Traps, and while there are flies in them, it has not cut down on the number of flies in the run (they are each about 10 feet from the run). I made a mixture of water, vinegar, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil and sprayed that around the outside of the run and inside the run. Still flies!!

Any ideas? Do you think the PDZ in the poop tray in the coop is keeping the flies out of the coop, but in the run? I also sprinkled DE in their coop before I put the bedding down. Should I sprinkle both of these in the run after they go in their coop for the night? What else can I do?

While I understand not wanting to cover the grass especially if it does not presently look like the crispy stuff you normally see mid-summer in Texas, with all the rain y'all are getting the flies are happy you have provided a protected spot for them. I would dump a pile of your bedding material of choice (I use oak leaves that are plentiful in my yard and I collect in the fall) in rhe middle of rhe run and the chickens will have hours of entertainment spreading it around for you. And it will help cover the poo.

 

[texsuze]

Chiming in from the Hill Country....It might be difficult but first, try to pick the poop out of the run. I pick poop in my sandy run every day, in addition to cleaning the coop every day. You could sprinkle a bit of PDZ on the poops if you can't get to them right away--I do this in my barn when the girls poop on my concrete barn floor. Buys me some time to pick those poops later in the day.

Don't hang the fly traps, you'll only pull in all the neighbor flies; those traps are a weapon of mass destruction! Disposal is a hazmat operation, too . Ask me how I know....If using the fly sticky tapes be SURE your chickens cannot reach or access those tapes at all. Remember, chickens can jump...!

Also, check to see that your run drains well and has a chance to dry out without then becoming a sun-baked furnace. This too shall pass...

 

[Chickendilly]

Chiming in from the Hill Country....It might be difficult but first, try to pick the poop out of the run. I pick poop in my sandy run every day, in addition to cleaning the coop every day. You could sprinkle a bit of PDZ on the poops if you can't get to them right away--I do this in my barn when the girls poop on my concrete barn floor. Buys me some time to pick those poops later in the day.

Don't hang the fly traps, you'll only pull in all the neighbor flies; those traps are a weapon of mass destruction! Disposal is a hazmat operation, too . Ask me how I know....If using the fly sticky tapes be SURE your chickens cannot reach or access those tapes at all. Remember, chickens can jump...!

Also, check to see that your run drains well and has a chance to dry out without then becoming a sun-baked furnace. This too shall pass...

Thank you!! I had the fly traps and my dog jumped up and knocked one over and it may have been the worst smell I've ever experienced! It's getting better now that we had a few dry days. Thanks for the PDZ tip - I use it in their droppings tray in the coop (which does not have a fly problem) so I'll start adding it to the run as well.

 

[Kurczaklover]

OK, gotta ask. What is PDZ?