can mites kill my chickens

I noticed a chicken with a lot of feathers missing on her neck so I started looking and there are mites, I know in the nesting boxes I saw them on the eggs. Now I see several spots on some other chickens too. I have poultry dust is this strong enough? How do I get that on the roof and walls of the coop? Do I put it in a sprayer? What about seven can I use both, poultry dust and seven? We can spray seven and I guess rub on the poultry dust. How many applications do you think it could take to get rid of them? I think they came because an egg got broken the the nest box and the yolk didn't get cleaned out (kids got the eggs). Thanks

Yes, it can kill your chickens and deplete them of blood supply (anemia). I would just use the poultry dust..it is designed for direct application for birds.

You don't need to treat the roof and walls. Dust the birds using the "shake and bake" method: sprinkle some dust liberally into a plastic bag, place the bird's body inside the bag, with the head sticking out, then hold the bag around the chick's neck (while supporting the body with your other hand, of course) and gently shake the bag to distribute the dust all over it's body. This allows you to dust the bird heavily without getting the dust in their lungs and eyes. You can sprinkle the dust inside the nest boxes, on the floor, perches, etc.. I use DE in the pen and coop most of the time, since it's less toxic, but I do give the coop a dusting with Seven once or twice a year. Good luck, Lynn

I hope you have better luck with poultry powder that I have. I've used it 4 times now 7 days apart and have made no headway. I read on the BYC about Adams spary for mites and lice.I then went to the vet and puchase Adams spary and sprayed their vent area (cover their vent with your finger because it can really burn their vent) and that killed both lice and mites on contact. The only problem with Adamy is you can only spay chickens with amount you would use on a kitten. Obviously you can't use enough to saturate the feathers to get to the mites and lice all over their bodies. Now I'm looking into useing a dip method that I have read about. The dip can be purchased from Randall Burkey. A fellow BYC member has given me the details but, I'm afraid to dip my hens. I still can't get any answer as to how long one needs to wait to consume their eggs after the dip. Another way to handle mites and lice is to place a few drops of Ivermectrin on the back side of their necks just like you would a dog. I am still researching this and would not suggest you do this as I don't have all the facts on this method. These methods can give you some food for thought and in the event the powder is not sucessful you can research and decide what woorks best for your flock. I would love to hear about any progress you make. If you get a chance PM me.
Good Luck!!!!

I used the ADAMS dip for kittens and puppies. And gave my flock a bath and dipped the lower half of the chickens. And made sure to rinse well, assuring the bird doesn't drink the dip. I had no one get sick. Seems to work. Need to repeat in a week or so. I also heard SEVEN DUST the less powerful stuff, works well to help prevent them bastards coming back.

thanks guys, it's too darn windy today to do anything like poutry dust or seven dust. I think we are going to try first thing in the morning. I think they are only in the nesting box right now, my Roo does not seem to be affected.

oh also, can we use liquid seven? or does it have to be dust in the coop area?

Has anyone used permethrin liquid. You supposed put a spray dust over them and it kills the Mites?
I going to try it soon. Can't be worse than dead chickens if you go by the prescribed amount.

Phillychicken said:

Has anyone used permethrin liquid.  You supposed put a spray dust over them and it kills the Mites?
I going to try it soon.  Can't be worse than dead chickens if you go by the prescribed amount.

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Permetrhin comes in a poultry and garden dust, and as a 10 percent liquid spray when mixed according to directions. The concentrate is around 10 dollars at many garden and farm stores, and makes many gallons. Do some research on mites in chickens, and you will learn that the chickens and the coop may need to be treated every 7 days to treat the mites, and then get the hatching mite eggs. The coop and nest box bedding needs to be removed and replaced as well.

Phillychicken said:

Has anyone used permethrin liquid. You supposed put a spray dust over them and it kills the Mites?
I going to try it soon. Can't be worse than dead chickens if you go by the prescribed amount.

Click to expand...

I just had a bow tie silkie become lethargic all of a sudden and then a few days later noticed she was covered in yellow lice. The permethrin spray took fast care of them. I sprayed under both wings, the vent area and on the back of the neck. I was fast and easy. I also sprayed all of the other birds in the coop, removed the bedding and used a powder form in the house and run. I am 7 days past and noticed their eggs on another silkie so I covered her well in the powder. I’m currently working on getting my bow tie back in good health as I was afraid she’d die as she became quite thin and anemic. She’s doing better. Hope this helps someone else.