3 week old chicks have mites! What do I do??

[Beenicole2]

Hi everyone, my husband thought it would be fun for our 3 week old chicks to check out their coop. When I went to take them out I noticed all of them were COVERED in tiny bugs. I'm pretty sure they're mites based on pictures I found online. How do I treat them? Please help, this is our first time having chickens and I found so many different things searching Google.

 

[casportpony]

They look more like lice to me, but I could be wrong. Either way, treat with a permethin that is labeled for use in poultry. If you cannot find permethrin dust or spray, use 5% Sevin (not approved for poultry, but is safe) until you can locate permethrin. Lice and mites can kill chicks, so you must treat them and their coop ASAP!

 

[Raggedyroad]

If you see them then you already have a serious infestation. I fought these beasts for weeks using natural methods. I finally gave in to using insecticide. The only thing that worked for me was Permethrin. You need to clear and throw away all bedding out of the coop and nest boxes. Aiso remove waterers and feeders. Thoroughly spray every inside surface with Permethrin. Without the birds inside of course. Let dry and put in new bedding. Then spay the birds vent, under wing in the pit and back of neck after they have gone to roost. Being careful not to spay the eyes. I also dumped the food in the feeders and thoroughly scrubbed them and replaced with new food also empty and scrub the waterers or anything else that's portable that you have in the coop. I used Permectrin II for poultry and had to repeat 2 weeks later. I would only buy the stuff meant for poultry and follow the instructions closely. You will need to wear long clothing and gloves, head cover, goggles and a respirator. Not those wimpy paper things either. This is an insecticide.

 

[casportpony]

I have been told by more than one person that the reason seven dust is not approved for poultry is because you can never eat the eggs again (ever). So I would do some serious research before using it.

You have been told misinformation by fearmongers. It's not supposed to be used on poultry because it's no longer "labeled" for poultry in the US.

It's perfectly safe to use and many other countries still use it. Technically people in the US aren't supposed to use it, but only because we aren't supposed to use pesticides that aren't labeled for use in poultry.

 

[Raggedyroad]

If they are actually mites then they will be in their current habitat now. This could also be where they originated.

 

[casportpony]

Glad you're on it... those little buggers can and do kill chicks. Sadly, DE doesn't work, so make sure you get permethrin dust or spray, and like I said, if you can't get either of those, get the Sevin.

 

[casportpony]

We got the permethrin dust! Thank you again for all of your help!

You're welcome and good luck!

 

[peeper89]

u get rid of bugs?

 

[Beenicole2]

u get rid of bugs?

I did, thank you!

 

[wvchics]

That sounds a bit much to say never. People use it in their gardens around here. I guess it could be different with chickens (I don't know for sure), but I know with produce you just have to use it a certain amount of time before harvest. My worry was if it would effect the health of the birds, but I'm curious to find out what the facts are if anyone has researched this.