4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[pipsi]

Hello there,

 

We have recently bought an eglu and have 2 chickens, Margo and Yoko. We have had them for nearly 2 weeks and are still waiting for our 1st egg (i'm getting impatient now!)

 

The chickens are adorable and are very friendly but I'm already getting cheesed off with all the flies. We like to let them out of their run so that they can explore around the garden but on every poo (and as you well know, they poo alot), there is about 10 flies! I was aware that there would be flies, especially where poo is concerned, but not this many. It's got to the point where I don't want to open my windows and also my little girl is scared of all the flies so is reluctant to go in the garden!!

 

We clean the eglu and rack the wood chips in the run every week. I have sprayed citronella mixed with water around the run but it doesn't seem to have any effect. I have also started to mix garlic powder in their feed.

 

I really don't want to keep the chickens in their run all day but may be forced to soon! Our garden is not particularly big either, so we really are living on top of the flies!

 

Any advice will be greatly received.

 

Many thanks

 

Pip

 

[Lewis]

I put concentrated citronella onto a broken terracotta pot and into some material, so it soaks in and stays there. It seems to work .

 

You could try getting a fly trap if you're really concerned, but some of them stink worse than the poo!

[Jewels]

Hi, I also suffer from lots of flies, personally I think it is not helped by the every other week bin collection! My bin is always covered in flies and then magots, I clean it out and still the flies persist.

 

However I also put pure citronella oil (available from health food shops) on pieces of cut up cloth (old duvet cover) and hang around the cube and run. I also put a piece under their cover. It does ease it a little.

 

I have also hung up some non toxic fly paper around their run, and amazed at how many flies are stuck on it at end of day.

 

[Ms Tilytinkle]

Hmmmm it's such an awful problem, bless your little daughter. I hate all the flies too & yes they just completely cover the little dumps. Mounds f flies YUK. I try to hose the poo daily but they poo sooooo much & the sticky ones are the problem which seems to attract the flies. Not sure what to suggest really as they just seem to increase no matter what I do to get rid of them, then other days there's none (or hardly any) so it doesnt make sense in our garden!

The non toxic paper hanging ones sound a great idea might try a few of those.

 

Ms Tillyhopesyou&yourlittleonefeelhappiersooninyourgardenandthefliesjustdisappear

[xScrunchee]

Mmm, this is a tricky one.

 

In our run we have Aubiose and we also use citronella or tea tree oil to deter flies. Once the girls have scratched about in the Aubiose, they cover up and bury their poos so less flies sit on them.

 

When they poo all over the garden-how about pouring a watering can on them (the poo's not the hens ) as soon as you notice one so that they sink into the grass? Bit of a pain but might help.

 

Perhaps the best bet might be to section off a small area of garden for them to free range in so that the rest of your garden can be fly free?

 

There seem to be more flies about than normal the past few years-everyone I know that haven't even got chickens are complaining about flies.

[Plum]

Are you sure they are coming from your garden there could be something else going on in your area. We have years of plagues of ladybirds, daddylonglegs and things?

 

I think it's all been said but I would concentrate on picking the poos regularly from the garden as well as the run. Hose down after for sticky ones but removing them is best. Another thought is the poo tray. With your problem I would empty it each day and make sure your compost bin is covered.

 

Hemcore bedding for the run contains citronella and is thought to deter flies but you would need to prevent it getting rained on. If you check in a garden centre there are sprays for clearing areas but I don't know if they are toxic.

[Tara.F]

you could get some gardeners lime (from a garden centre) and sprinkle a teaspoon full on every little mound....although it would be just as quick to pick the mounds up

 

Maybe give your little girl a water pistol and make a game out of squirting the poohs away?