Fly predators with chickens?

[Sheepheart]

Last year we started using the Spaulding fly predators to help with the flys(we have horses and a few goats)
Not long after starting I ended up with about fifteen chickens, two Muscovy ducks and their sixteen ducklings. We did see improvement on the number of flys, but I’m unsure if it was the fly predators or the amount of birds I got that roamed the property.

It’s coming up on time to reorder for the new fly season and I thought I would see if anyone had any input on if it’s a good idea to continue using them.

I currently have 15 chickens, four Muscovy ducks, five other ducks, and five geese.
Non bird animals I have are five horses, three goats, three barn cats, and three house dogs.

I have been told by people with large bird flocks (consisting of mostly chickens or guineas) that the chickens will eat the fly predators before they can do much, but they also eat enough flys that there isn’t much point to having the fly predators.

Ofcourse Spaulding labs says you can use the fly predators around chickens and other poultry, even having chickens in the formula you use to figure out how many fly predators you need to order.

 

[cavemanrich]

I have no experience with the FLY PREDATORS,,, but know that I have fly's. and my chickens do not hunt them.
I use the live traps to control my fly problems. A few home made ones, and usually get a few of these. I keep about 5 separate units going on my grounds. Does the job.
You may try a combo of sources and see how it all works together.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Sheepheart]

I have no experience with the FLY PREDATORS,,, but know that I have fly's. and my chickens do not hunt them.
I use the live traps to control my fly problems. A few home made ones, and usually get a few of these. I keep about 5 separate units going on my grounds. Does the job.
You may try a combo of sources and see how it all works together.

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WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Yea, nothing seems to hunt adult flys(except my Cornish cross chicks, but they are pretty lazy about it). I do use fly strips and the jar version of the bags. I do see the flock scratch through manure, from what I’ve read they will pick some of the eggs or larva out. The fly predators focus on the eggs. They are considered parasites as they use fly eggs to raise their young in.