Is my pekin bantam male or female?

[gavclojak]

Well here comes the long balmy summer with the long days, the benefits are that I will get to see the girls when I come in from work, I love seeing them sun bathing, enjoying pottering around and just chillaxing!

 

But here come those pesky flies.. ...I know citronella concentrate is supposed to work but I have also seen super citronella, it's for horses? Had anyone else used it around the run and are there any plants/flowers that actually deter flies that are safe for the ladies?

[Beantree]

We poo pick twice a day Gavclojak, on cooler days. In Summer we poo pick four times a day. Not only does that remove the fly problem but the runs don't stink either.

 

We use Citronella burners for BBQ's, but I don't think they are particularly effective and they also need to be adjusted for wind direction regularly.

[gavclojak]

Thanks beantree, yes I am a tad OTT with the poo pick too, I have a large enclosure so poop pick the rake over, what terrifies me is fly strike, I hear conflicting things about how common it is and some people say you can only get it if the hen has an open wound other have said its can strike on just messy bottoms....my vet, who is very chicken savvy said she had only ever seen it in rabbits

[Luna7]

Hi there i think you may find this informative http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/05/diy-fly-strips-more-ways-to-control.html

[Millie-Annie]

We use the red top fly catchers, they seem to help.

 

I am worried about fly strike with Meva, as she always has a mucky bum

[gavclojak]

It's funny because I found the red top range actually attracted flies, I found when I had them the flies from anywhere in the neighbourhood made there way to my garden!

In the end I got rid and that wasn't pleasant

[Millie-Annie]

They probably do, but land on the red top instead of the chicken run. No they are not pleasant and you do need a long garden

[LizzieLloyd]

We always use a red top fly catcher. They probably do attract other flies but they certainly get the flies away from our run and garden and contain them in one spot. Not the most pleasant things to deal with but they are much better than a garden full of flies. We've only got the one girl but I was amazed this weekend how many flies she's managing to attract. Must have particularly potent poo!

[Olly]

Fly strike is rare, but please read this sticky because if it does happen, it's likely to be fatal by the time you spot it.

[gavclojak]

Thanks Olly, I am terrified! The only thing I am phobic about is maggots....and the thought of fly strike.....well it beggars belief!!!

[Millie-Annie]

I really worry about Meva as she always has a dirty back end. I wish there was something to could put like you can for guinea pigs and rabbits

[peachachecha]

When I had my go run I would place a few vanilla car fresheners under the omlet cover. It really kept the fly population down.

[gavclojak]

My girls are the same Millie, they always have mucky knickers!

[Valkyrie]

I'm going to cut down some artemesia (wormwood) and hope that it does what it's supposed to do - not poison the birds - keeping the flies away. Although I think that's supposed to be for indoor use. Poo picking and hosing doesn't seem to be doing the trick so need to resort to any method known to man!!!

[patsylabrador]

I was thinking of planting a eucalyptus tree by their run again. It did seem to work before when I planted one inside their run but I didn't tend it very well and it died. Apparently eucalyptus oil is very good at keeping flies and other bugs away and is something I might start experimenting with because there seem to be so many this year. I thought I might soak some cloth in it and hang it up. Worth trying anyway and I like the smell of eucalyptus. Apparently lavender is good too.

Loads of flies in the house too and MS has bought something called The Executioner for zapping them. It should arrive today, I'm looking forward to it. I'll let you know how good or bad it is.