Flies are a natural part of wildlife. While they can be annoying, they play important roles in nature. They support the environment in three main ways. 

What roles do flies have? 

1. Decomposition and Nutrient Recycling

Flies, especially larvae (maggots), help decompose dead animals, plant material and manure. This process recycles nutrients back into the ecosystem, enriching the soil and promoting plant growth. As maggots move through decaying material, they help aerate the soil, improving its structure and fertility.

2. Pollination

Some fly species, such as hoverflies, are important pollinators. They visit flowers to feed on nectar and pollen, transferring pollen between plants and facilitating their reproduction. Flies pollinate a variety of plants, including some that are not commonly pollinated by bees, thus contributing to plant biodiversity.

3. Food Source for Other Animals

Flies are a crucial part of the food web. They provide food for many animals, including birds, bats, frogs, spiders, and other insects. By serving as prey, flies support the survival of numerous species, maintaining ecological balance.

It is common to see more flies if you keep chickens due to several factors related to the environment and conditions that chickens create:

Why do chickens attract flies?

1. Manure and Droppings

Chickens produce a significant amount of moist droppings. This manure is rich in nutrients and organic material, which makes it an ideal breeding ground for flies.

2. Food Sources

Chickens often spill their feed and if you live in countries where the feeding of food scraps is allowed, they can spill or trample them too! These both appeal to flies and the presence of decomposing organic matter is particularly attractive.

3. Moisture

Chickens need water and the waterers can spill or leak, creating damp areas. Flies thrive in moist environments, so any wet spots around the run can increase fly populations.

4. Run Material

The organic run material like wood chippings that chickens like to scratch through, slowly decomposes and accumulates droppings. This attracts flies and can provide ample breeding grounds for them.

5. Warmth

The warmth generated by the chickens and their environment can accelerate the life cycle of flies, making it easier for them to reproduce rapidly.

6. Other Pets or Livestock

All pets and livestock produce their own waste matter and people who keep chickens, often keep other animals too. If chickens are in a run, they can seem to be the issue when it is the cumulative effect of the whole menagerie.

7. Composters

Chicken keepers usually love to be outdoors, enjoy gardening and like to recycle their garden waste. Composters produce the ideal conditions for flies to feed and reproduce.

8. Ponds

While we all appreciate these havens for nature, they provide an equally superb habitat for the species we love and those we don’t to live and breed! 

None of these factors is the only reason you have flies around your birds. While they are annoying, they pose little risk to your feathered friends. Before you decide to demolish parts of your garden, there are much easier ways of managing the situation.

How to reduce flies around your hens? 

Unlike some insects like red mite, flies are more of an annoyance to us than our birds. If you want to reduce fly populations around your chickens, there are many strategies and products you can use:

1. Regular Coop Cleaning –  Clean the coop at least weekly. Remove all soiled bedding and scrub the perches and ramp which often get super grubby! It’s very easy to wash the inside of a Nestera coop too and it will dry quickly in warm weather or even faster with a towel. 
   
2. Keep Food Tidy – use a feeder that prevents spillage and put the food away at night. If you live in a country that allows the feeding of food scraps, only put as much out as they can consume in a few hours. 
3. Replace Old Chippings – if you have a run with old chippings or material that’s decomposing, dig it out, stick it in your composter and replace with fresh material. This will give your birds something to scratch through and you’ll be removing parasitic worm eggs and other pathogens too.
4. Lid Your Compost - Use compost bins with lids for chicken manure, garden waste and food scraps to prevent flies from accessing these materials.
5. Water Management - Ensure waterers do not leak and are placed in areas where spills can drain away quickly or are captured and discarded. Use nipple drinkers to minimise spillage and water wastage.
6. Fly Traps - Use commercial or homemade fly traps around the coop and run. Sticky traps, baited water, baited cage traps and UV light traps can be effective. Always place baited traps as far from people and animals as possible because they don’t smell too great! 
   
7. Natural Repellents- Plant fly-repellent herbs like basil, lavender, mint, and marigolds around the coop. Flies tend to avoid these plants. You can also use sprays containing essential oils. Mix 10-15 drops of essential oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use and spray around coops, runs, other fly-prone areas and your own home if required. Flies particularly dislike Lavender, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Tea Tree, Citronella, Basil, Clove and Rosemary oils. 
8. Predatory Insects - Introduce beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that prey on fly larvae. These insects can help naturally reduce fly populations.
9. Natural Predators -  Encourage birds, frogs and other natural predators that feed on flies.
10. Screens and Netting - Install fine mesh screens or netting on windows, vents, and other openings of the coop to keep flies out while maintaining ventilation.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the presence of flies around your chickens and improve their environment.