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Another mite problem...

post #1 of 4
3/22/12 at 10:11am
Thread Starter 

So I have been battling mites for a few weeks now.  I have been using the seven dust every seven days cleaned the coops washed the roosts with hot soapy water and dusted the coops with sevin dust.  I gave one hen a flea shampoo because she was quite infested. 

 

My birds free range and I do not see a way to treat the entire environment.  I have added sevin dust to their favorite dust hole.  I still have mites.  he.gif  I am very frustrated.  I plan on continuing the dusting, but I think I need to do something else.  I have seen on here about people using flea sprays on the birds.  How would you apply this?  I have very fluffy bird and they seem to have it the worst.  If I use the flea spray can I just mist them or does it need to get to their skin? 

 

I have thirty some birds so this will be a huge project.  I really want to get rid of this problem.  My poor birds.  Any suggestions?

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post #2 of 4
3/22/12 at 11:05am
If Ivomec Eprinex (Eprinomectin) is available in your area you might want to give that a try: http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/402165/eprinex-vs-ivermectin

Do you have a lot of Wild birds (feeding them?) in your area? This is the usual source of reinfestation (particularly the nests).

If this problem continues get some of these parasites in a container and see if you can't find someone at local Univ. extension service (vet) to ID the exact species (can help re: treatment).

You're on the `wet' side of the Cascades so using Amorphous Diatomaceous Earth might be a cwap shoot as an adjunct in the dirt baths (more humid it is the less effective it is). Wood ashes in dirt bathing areas are good as well.
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post #3 of 4
3/22/12 at 2:58pm

I have been raising chickens for about 8 years and last January my hens started to loose their feathers.

I went to the local feed / supply store and bought diatomaceous earth, the pellets for the floor and the flour type for dusting.

I cleaned the pen and put a good layer of the pellet diatomaceous earth on the floor and wood shavings and dusted the chickens.  You can also get a sprayer for this product and dust the walls, nesting boxes...etc.  I also leave a container with the flour diatomaceous earth with shavings so they can have a dust bath.  I saw results immediately.

If the chickens eat some of it, this product won't hurt them.

Hope this helps.

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post #4 of 4
3/23/12 at 9:25am
Thread Starter 

Thank you for the replies.  I have ordered the Eprinex.  I choose to not use chemicals, but this has been beyond my control for too long.  Waiting to receive it in the mail.  I hope that after using it I will be able to use preventive measures in the future.  I have had chickens for about three years now and this is my first pest issue.  Thank you ivan3 for the link.

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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Predators and Pests › Another mite problem...