Fly Control in the Chicken Yard
- Donna Weekes
- Jun 15
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 2

Keeping chickens can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with some challenges, especially when it comes to fly control. Flies do more than annoy, they pose health risks to your chickens and make the coop an unpleasant place. Thankfully there's an easy solution.
IT'S AN OVERALL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM!
The system you implement will determine the number of chickens you have or don't have in your yard.
No matter the number of chickens or your setup, it's essential to manage with the goal of keeping a clean, dry environment for the chickens.
That's the objective.
UNDERSTANDING THE FLY PROBLEM
Flies are not just a nuisance, they can spread disease and parasites, among chickens, affecting their health and productivity. The most common types of flies found in chicken yards include house flies and stable flies. These pests breed in organic waste and manure that accumulate in and around chicken coops.
The life cycle of a fly is relatively short, with females capable of laying hundreds of eggs in a single breeding cycle. If not controlled, this can quickly lead to a significant infestation, putting your flock at risk for disease such as fly strike and other health issues.
THE TYPE OF LITTER MATTERS
The main role of litter in backyard coops is to maintain dryness and aid in waste removal. It is not intended to keep chickens warm during cold weather. Chickens require litter, not bedding, as they roost instead of sleeping on the ground.
THE ROLE OF SAND IN FLY CONTROL
Sand, particularly in its dry form, acts as a natural deterrent to flies in chicken yards. Unlike traditional methods that start to decompose and create odors.
HOW SAND DISCOURAGES FLY BREEDING
When you introduce sand into your chicken yard, it serves as several key purposes. Sand doesn't adsorb moisture, flies are attracted to wet waste, where they lay their eggs. By reducing the moisture in the waste, sand creates an unfavorable environment for fly breeding.
BEST PRACTICES FOR USING SAND IN THE COOP AND RUN
To maximize the benefits of sand in fly control, follow these best practices:
Select the Appropriate Sand Type: Sand varies significantly. Seek out sand with specific features, like a blend of small, differently sized particles. It might be referred to as river sand, bank run sand, quarry sand, construction sand, or arena sand. Steer clear of play sand, which is made from crushed quartz and contains silica which could result in respiratory issues. The sand should be uniform in size to remain mobile and avoid compacting like a sandcastle. Refrain from buying sand in bags from large retail stores, as it is often very dusty and less cost-effective than purchasing from a landscaping company.
PLEASE NOTE: To function correctly, a covered run is necessary, and the sand must remain dry. Any wet litter will produce an odor.
In warmer months, if the sand happens to get wet from the rain around the perimeter of the run, it will dry out relatively quickly.
Regular Maintenance: By utilizing the appropriate tools, such as a sand scoop and a
sand sifter, you can enhance the efficiency of maintaining your coop and run, making daily clean-up a matter of minutes rather than spending time mucking out your coop weekly. To ensure the coop remains odor free, it's crucial to remove waste daily to maintain a dry and healthy environment..
Combine with Other Fly Control Methods: Sand can be part of a comprehensive fly control strategy. Consider complementing sand use with other methods like using droppings boards under roosts. Cleaning the coop is simplified by using a droppings board. It's basically a shelf under the roost that collect the droppings overnight and are easily scraped off with the use of a drywall taping knife into a compost bucket. To help absorb any residual moisture that might be left on the droppings boards, we apply Freshcoop to the boards after cleaning.
Successful management isn't about continuous expenditure; it's about utilizing systems. These systems manage the tasks on your behalf!
The simpler your approach, the less effort you'll need. The more complex it becomes, the greater the expense and the more problems you'll face.
4. Avoid Keeping Food and Water in the Coop: Place chicken drinkers and feeders in the covered run, not inside the coop to avoid the key source of moisture. Chickens do not drink water while sleeping, so keep water in the covered run during their active hours.
Chickens should not access the coop throughout the day for eating and drinking, as their constant eating leads to droppings. Maintaining a clean, dry coop is challenging since their droppings are 80% water, which can attract flies due to moisture and odor.
A chicken coop serves two purposes: laying eggs and sleeping. All other activities should occur in the covered run.
The insulated Premier One Poultry Nipple Drinker keeps water cool during hot weather, prevents algae growth, and includes an electric heating element to stop freezing in winter.
AN OPTION TO PURCHASE
We provide a natural product to help repel insects without harming the environment and neutralizes odors that attract insects, including flies, mosquitoes, ticks and mites, can be used everyday and has a pleasant scent to refresh the coop.
Recommended for use in the coop, roosting bars and nest boxes. Can also be sprayed directly on the chickens feathers if desired.
Chick' N Protect is a much safer and more effective option than Diatomaceous Earth, if you believe DE helps in preventing mites and lice, it does not also its a lousy insecticide and with long term use is know to cause cancer of the lungs.
Chick' N Protect aids in insect control, but best management practices are still necessary.
CONCLUSION
In a world where synthetic solutions are dominate, sand emerges as a simple yet effective method for controlling flies in chicken yards. By harnessing the natural properties of sand, chicken keepers can enhance a healthier environment for their flock while reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides.
Taking proactive steps to manage and create dust bathing areas where the chickens choose within the run, will not only improve the well-being of your chickens but also minimize the fly population. As this innovative method continues to gain recognition among poultry keepers, it's clear that sand is indeed a secret weapon against the pesky fly problem thar plagues many chicken yards.
So, why not give it a try? You might find this humble material can make a significant difference in the health of your flock, creating a more enjoyable environment for both you and your chickens.
DROPPINGS BOARDS UNDER ROOST IN OUR COOP


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