Fly Management

• Flies have been and continues to be a serious threat in caged poultry operations.
• Accumlation of manure under laying hens is an ideal breeding medium for larvae.
• Flies have a typical four stage life cycle; egg, larva (maggot), pupa, and adult.
• Female flies normally mate only once, they congregate and lay their eggs in suitable breeding place on the manure.
• Each female fly can produce upto 6 batches of 75-200 eggs at 3 to 4 days interval.
• Larvae hatch from the eggs in 12-24 hours and complete their development in 4-7 days.
• Then they from a reddish-brown hardened case called puparium, the pupal stage lasts 3-4 days and an adult fly emerges to complete the cycle.
• Adult flies live an average of 2-4 weeks in summer and longer in cooler weather.
• Adult flies are most active during the day at temperatures of 80-90°F and become inactive at night or at lower temperatures.

Complete fly Control can be achieved by

• Manure Management: Dry Manure (50% Moisture or Less) Reduces the suitability for Fly oviposition and larval development.
• Water Management: Leakage from nipples and foggers are commonly seen in most of the poultry farms, so it should be attended and fixed immediately. 
• Sanitary Measures: Spilling of feed and broken eggs on the manure should be avoided because the attract adult flies and pest beetles.