anyone else having a fly proplem

[GrimshelsGrazingGoats]

I haven't Had to many normal flies around my house not yet anyway. I'm having the worst time with horse flies though. My goats are being bugged to death by em. They are to the point they only getting up when they get hungry to go eat and that's for only 20 minutes at a time.

 

[treeclimber233]

Are you referring to stable flies or biting flies? Stable flies are easy to get rid of. Simply spread lime on bedding and any wet spots. Flies will not lay eggs in manure that has lime in it. Stable flies will land on the hanging fly strips and that will help get rid of mature flies but to completely break the cycle you need to eliminate the breeding area. And the breeding area will have wet manure in it. If you have a manure pile outside the barn keep it dusted with lime after each addition to it.

Biting flies are a different story. I put drops of fly repellent on my horse. My goats simply go into their stall during the day when the flies are bad. The flies will not stay in a dark stall so the goats are safe in there. My goats go out and eat early in the morning before the flies come out and return to the stall when they are bad to digest. Then they go back out later in the evening to eat again before dark. If your stalls are well lit during the day simply try to darken them some.

 

[june2013]

Have you guys tried Muscovy ducks? I know some people that use them for bug control. They work WONDERS! Literally, flies are just gone. (I've seen one swallow a small snake before...gross, but exciting!) You can have a few shallow pans for them since they do need water. They're hard to find in my area as I live in South California. It's sooo worth the investment though!

 

[greybeard]

Have you guys tried Muscovy ducks? I know some people that use them for bug control. They work WONDERS! Literally, flies are just gone. (I've seen one swallow a small snake before...gross, but exciting!) You can have a few shallow pans for them since they do need water. They're hard to find in my area as I live in South California. It's sooo worth the investment though!

No, I have not-- please tell us--how does this work?
And how many ducks will I need for 60 acres and 30 momma cows?
Will 2 pair be enough?
Are ducks coyote proof?
When I use my lease property, do I have to double up the # of ducks for 120 acres and 60 mommas, the calves and bulls?

 

[june2013]

No, I have not-- please tell us--how does this work?
And how many ducks will I need for 60 acres and 30 momma cows?
Will 2 pair be enough?
Are ducks coyote proof?
When I use my lease property, do I have to double up the # of ducks for 120 acres and 60 mommas, the calves and bulls?

So sorry I didn't respond sooner. I had no idea you replied until now! Continuing on~

They are fast producers, but I'd suggest for 60 acres, maybe start out with more than that. If you don't want them overrunning the place, maybe... Perhaps 5? Just to get a good feel of them. The ratio should be 1 male to 4-5 hens. So you'd have one drake, and 4 hens. (The website I linked below has a lot more ducks and she only had six acres! Of course, regions will differ.) Also, they're great brooders and are known to be good parents. Survival and fertility rates are generally high. They do raise up to 2-3 clutches per year, 12-15 per. This can fluctuate, but not by much. But I mean, people do raise for meat as well, so population control isn't too bad... And about them cows: I'm sorry, but I've never worked with cows and how many flies they attract. So I wouldn't be able to do much calculation.

It's obvious that they can free range and they have a LOT OF SPACE. So 10-15, minimum? The more they can forage in a smaller space, the less they need space because they already have what they nutritionally need -- vice versa. You will want to supplement them with different foods, though. And for housing, it depends on your weather. I have some links below that I've been using to research into the breed.

AND IMPORTANT! I really suggest that you dig a pond, or keep them away from where they can see or sense a water source nearby. They will fly away. And because sadly, they are not coyote proof (or any predator for that matter), I do not think taking away their ability to fly is a good thing. Especially with so much land getting your ducks killed will only attract more predators. You can also get a plastic pond mold and just put it into the ground instead. Some people use it to form the shape of their pond. There are tons of examples @ backyardchickens.com ! Specific links below. (Depending on where you live, you might need to go get a permit or something if you want to use a tarp for a bigger project.) OR Get a huge kiddie pool (DIY, cheap, filter link at the bottom!) and just dig it into the ground. Add some minnows and water plants in there. They won't leave unless danger is present, and will usually come back. Add some dirt to the bottom and they'll poop in there, 100% guaranteed, BAM! Automatic food supply, almost free, for your ducks. It might attract some frogs, they'll eat that too if they can stuff it down their throats.

When you double your land, it depends when you do it. Is it right after you get the ducks? A year? How long? It's pretty circumstantial... And again, they reproduce pretty fast because of their good parenting. It's a rare trait since many ducks have lost that ability after years of incubating the eggs.

GENERAL:
Overview
Space (will add link later!!)
Diet
PEST CONTROL:
Muscovy Duck Experience
POND:
Backyard Chickens: Duck Pond Pics
FILTER:
Skippy Filter (DIY)
Lava Rocks
Runner Duck Pond Filter

Sorry for the lack of links, I swore that I had something useful! But Muscovies, in my opinion, are definitely the go-to duck for multi-purposes, other than egg laying.

Best wishes to you and your want of flie-riddance! XD

 

[june2013]

The flys are horrible! I am going to spray down the goats but does anyone have any idea of what to do for the dogs? They are out In the fields with no structures so strips or jugs are not an option.

Muscovy ducks are good. They probably won't bond, and as long as he's full, probably won't go after them.