What mite I do...naturally?

Hi All, I was talking to a friend with rabbits. He said chickens are known to pass mites on to rabbits, so they dont make good domestic companions, as in companion planting (very like talked about in our gardening section). I wanted a few rabbits just to experience what we Europeans used to way back in the day before Chicken became the staple it has been. Back when we instead might have said, "tastes a bit like rabbit" (instead of the oft' heard ..........like chicken). Then I talked to a birder chick who lives on a property somewhat overrun with chickens. She said mites are a problem. She said there is a paint you can use for the coop interior. But I wonder if there are natural enviro factors, a coop setting that precludes a habitat for mites. Lemme guess: may have som'n to do with ventilation?

Yep. Ventilation is key

Mites like humidity, and dark, and CO2.... PERFECT in a coop for them. Cut moisture with proper ventilation and keeping it open and aired out as much as possible...

Diatomaceous Earth. FOOD grade. Great for deterring mites. It acts as a dessicant, keeps moisture dried up; also abrades outer surface of soft bodies insects, damaging them to death...

Wood ash is pretty much definite mite killer...mix it with sand and let them dust bathe in it...

Prevention is key, you are correct in assuming proper ventilation would help prevent them

Edit, the paint...i can't remember what it was that was mixed with it, but nowadays, I use NEEM. No paint, just NEEM

What I just did to those mites that might or may not be there (I dont think they are cuz our ventilation is good and we're slowly building up deep litter, also to increase insulation over the cement floor and vs. our coop's venting windows as winter approaches): Sprinkled the rest of my food grade DE around the coop and particularly in the corners where the air space is deadest, even with good ventilation in the room. Then I went out into the run under the trees into the dirt pockets I sprinkled DE, cuz that's where they take dirt baths. Finally under the coop where they also like to dirt bathe and recently they've deposited eggs there.

We make wood a fair amount of wood ash and was wondering where it best fits, thanks. But by neem, do you mean NEEM OIL? And how, where to apply that?

Much Thanks, Nick

amiachicknorwat said:

What I just did to those mites that might or may not be there (I dont think they are cuz our ventilation is good and we're slowly building up deep litter, also to increase insulation over the cement floor and vs. our coop's venting windows as winter approaches): Sprinkled the rest of my food grade DE around the coop and particularly in the corners where the air space is deadest, even with good ventilation in the room. Then I went out into the run under the trees into the dirt pockets I sprinkled DE, cuz that's where they take dirt baths. Finally under the coop where they also like to dirt bathe and recently they've deposited eggs there.

We make wood a fair amount of wood ash and was wondering where it best fits, thanks. But by neem, do you mean NEEM OIL? And how, where to apply that?

Much Thanks, Nick

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That should be a great start! I honestly haven't had issues with mites, like EVER. But I'm in dry country, we just don't get them here it seems... Maybe it's all the DE lol

Wood ash, I just take a couple cups and mix it with some sand, and put it in their favorite spot in the coop... I used to put it in a pan, but they didn't like the pan lol.. Same with the DE, you can just sprinkle a cup here and there where you see them bathing...

And yes, Neem OIL

Usually it's an ounce of Neem oil per gallon, and since its oil, its needs a sticker/spreader. We use Coco Wet, a wetting agent for coco coir, but dawn dishsoap, or another gentle soap will work, just a few drops per gallon. Do move the chooks out while spraying; its harmless to touch and a little ingested won't hurt, but it stinks, smelly stuff. Sprat down roosts, nesting boxes, and walls.

Deep litter may be affected by Neem, so do be aware that your beneficials may suffer losses because of ingestion.

'What mite I do'....yukyuyuk.

I don't think mites that feed on chickens will feed on mammals, most pests are species specific for the blood they need to reproduce.

A dry coop is a must for many reasons, and I suppose that includes pests but ....I know grain mites will bloom and flourish in hot humid weather.

The neem painted into all the cracks and crevices of a structure is a good idea,
cause that's where a couple of avian mite species spend most their time, they only come out at night to feed.

Too much DE(and wood ash) floating around in a dust bath scenario could be detrimental to their respiratory systems.
Just plain dust is fine for the bathing.
DE is best for around the edges and under the bedding of nests boxes and floors.

I only sprinkled a bit of DE in any one place so to spread it over a wide area in run and coop. I'm aware not to breathe it, tho think a bit breathed here and there is tolerable. Oh, you're making me think a dust bathtub, like a little sandbox but much dustier, would be a good addition inside the coop for over the bird's overwintering? I have shook the DE down below the straw in some nesting boxes. With your encouragement now I'll do the rest. Thanks Much

amiachicknorwat said:

I only sprinkled a bit of DE in any one place so to spread it over a wide area in run and coop. I'm aware not to breathe it, tho think a bit breathed here and there is tolerable. Oh, you're making me think a dust bathtub, like a little sandbox but much dustier, would be a good addition inside the coop for over the bird's overwintering? I have shook the DE down below the straw in some nesting boxes. With your encouragement now I'll do the rest. Thanks Much

Click to expand...

It would help to put one in the coop if you get cold snowy winters. The ground freezes and they have a hard time getting soil kicked up... They will dig and bathe in the bedding on the coop floor, too, lol; I don't really bother with the "tub", just because my chooks seem to hate pans or tubs of any kind

But yeah, a little sandbox but a wee bit dustier, that's what they're looking for in bathing material

You location and expected intensity of winter important. I looked at you images which indicates you have amble room to work with. Allowing the bird to simply have mobility helps a lot. Keeping the roost area dry and exposed to cold temperatures good as well. Dust bathing location might be something work on. My birds have a strong preference for locations receiving direct sunlight between 1000 and 1600, Dust bathing material has been discussed a little which I would like to add need to be dominated by dust but have a range of small particle sizes. The birds are also likely to want a good view while bathing.

LOL, their bathtub (dustpile) in the coop is gonna have to be on the ground, not suspended by a window. But I hear what you're saying, place the dustbath out in the open so they can see around them. I have started to cover the coop's cement floor with cardboard, sand, wood chips and straw (Deep Litter), but will find a good spot where they can dust it up where sunlight sweeps from the venting windows.

We're in South East British Columbia, in the Rocky Mountains. Not very high up in altitude or latitude, but we do get cold winters.

In my part of world the tub can be set to get sun exposure while on the ground. Same realized for carpet on floor in house. Window needs to face other than north and not be obstructed by tree, mountain, etc.