Chickens to control flies?
If you have cows, you have flies.
Unfortunately, those two things go together. The trick is managing the flies before they become overwhelming.
I am always thinking about managing the flies, and every spring and summer, it’s an experiment on what works and what can be chalked up to an old farm wives tale. I implemented the “Chicken Tractor” project to control the flies this year, but so far, adding chickens has not worked as planned. 100% user error, and the chickens can not be blamed (more on this in a future post).
Chickens can be a remarkable, natural solution for pest control, particularly in managing flies that trouble livestock like cows. Flies and insects are part of a chicken's diverse diet, making them a practical ally for organic farming operations. Chickens are naturally omnivores with keen eyes for spotting insects, larvae, and flies. Studies have shown that they can consume large quantities of these pests, helping to keep fly populations in check. This is particularly beneficial for cows, as flies are not only a nuisance but can also transmit diseases and lead to stress and decreased milk production. Introducing chickens into the barnyard not only enriches the biodiversity but also helps reduce reliance on chemical pesticides for fly control. Chickens peck and scratch at cow dung, a common breeding ground for flies, interrupting the fly's lifecycle and significantly reducing their population. Thus, utilizing chickens as part of an integrated pest management strategy can lead to a more sustainable, healthier farm environment.
The biggest problem with flies is that they carry pink eye (infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis or IBK)
Because I was adding chickens to the fly control plan, I did NOT order fly predators like the past two summers. Fly predators are bugs you add to your pasture that disrupt the cycle of flies by laying their eggs in the fly larvae, and then the mature fly predators also eat the flies, so it’s a double whammy. The flies are the worst I’ve seen on the cows, so I ordered fly predators last night, and I hope they arrive quickly. I’m adding a double order as soon as they arrive. To be the most effective, the fly predators should have been started months ago. Order Fly Predators Here
I have been feeding the cows garlic the past two summers, and this year I am increasing the amount of raw garlic and garlic added to their fly control mineral salt. I also utilize the bags that hang and attract flies; the bags work pretty well but aren’t a solution to the problem. This summer, I am adding apple cider vinegar to the cow’s drinking water; this supposedly makes the cow’s skin and sweat more acidic, which flies don’t like. I’m adding 2 cups per 10 gallons to the water trough, but this won’t be foolproof with an auto-fill valve.
As you can see, I frequently try multiple things simultaneously, an epic science experience failure. A controlled experiment is when you only change one thing at a time so you can see what works. What can I say, I’m impatient and desperate to keep the flies off the rescue cows. I still stand behind the chicken idea, and I will continue to work on it until the chickens are free ranging in the pasture and eating the flies while also fertilizing the pasture at the same time. That seems like a win-win to me. If you’ve never had chickens, you will love them more than you think you will. As a side note, I am a vegan and do not eat chicken or eggs, so the chicken’s only job is to live a good pasture life and eat the flies!
In the next few weeks, I’ll post how badly my chicken project is going and how to treat pink eye in cows.