Here are seven great ways to eliminate flies from your chicken coop.

by Sue Weaver

Flies are nasty. Nobody wants them in a henhouse or chicken run, and controlling flies without using toxic insecticides can be difficult indeed. The trick is combining several types of natural fly control. These are some of the best.

A clean coop (right) is important in keeping flies away.

SHUTTERSTOCK: TONO BALAGUER (LEFT); INDY EDGE

1. Keep Things Clean

Flies are attracted to fresh manure, wet spots and old, damp feed. To thwart them, put your chickens elsewhere or let them out to free-range and then do a deep cleaning. Remove hay from nest boxes and rake up used bedding, then sweep the floor. Use plain water, vinegar or nontoxic commercial cleaner to scrub trouble spots such as roosts and ground-in manure. Hose down the floor if it’s concrete, and let that dry. Add new bedding; don’t forget the nest boxes. Repeat as needed.

On a weekly basis, check problem areas such as nest boxes, under roosts and any place chickens spill feed or water. Remove manure and damp or badly soiled bedding, then stir up remaining dry bedding.

Make certain water founts are tip-proof. Consider placing droppings boards under roosts; these can be easily removed for weekly cleaning. Don’t feed table scraps in your coop or chicken run; they’re a fly’s favorite nosh, especially when chickens leave some and it spoils.

Keeping your coop floor and bedding clean (below right) helps keep the fly population under control.