7 chickens with head shaking and no other symptoms

[spartacus_63]

DE is not effective with an established infestation of mites.

I happen to work in the pest control industry and DE is a very effective all natural bug killer that is completely harmless, and some say beneficial, to warm blooded animals.

Permethrin would be my second choice (actually, I would only use DE). It is a good bug killer and has not shown any transfer to the chicken eggs. Although Permethrin, like all synthetic pyrethroids has been shown to reduces the number of oxygen-carrying cells in the blood of birds.

There are different types of mites that thrive on chickens that require differing treatments. It sounds like what your birds have is a permanent resident on the bird such as the Northern Fowl Mite. It is important to treat the birds for a month with the NFM as they can live for three weeks without a host. It is important to not treat the bird more than recommended by the product label. The chicken mite can live much longer without a host, but they are usually only present during feeding. With such a heavy infestation, chances are the mites are in the coop as well as on the birds. For a dust to work, the bugs must come in contact with a lethal dose (which usually isn't much).

Keep in mind that what ever you decide to use, if it is a powder applied topically, and dusting the coop, there is a good chance that your birds will ingest the chemical. Injectables are less likely to be ingested, but they are introduced into the blood of the birds.

Good luck​

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
I happen to work in the pest control industry and DE is a very effective all natural bug killer that is completely harmless, and some say beneficial, to warm blooded animals.

Permethrin would be my second choice (actually, I would only use DE). It is a good bug killer and has not shown any transfer to the chicken eggs. Although Permethrin, like all synthetic pyrethroids has been shown to reduces the number of oxygen-carrying cells in the blood of birds.

There are different types of mites that thrive on chickens that require differing treatments. It sounds like what your birds have is a permanent resident on the bird such as the Northern Fowl Mite. It is important to treat the birds for a month with the NFM as they can live for three weeks without a host. It is important to not treat the bird more than recommended by the product label. The chicken mite can live much longer without a host, but they are usually only present during feeding. With such a heavy infestation, chances are the mites are in the coop as well as on the birds. For a dust to work, the bugs must come in contact with a lethal dose (which usually isn't much).

Keep in mind that what ever you decide to use, if it is a powder applied topically, and dusting the coop, there is a good chance that your birds will ingest the chemical. Injectables are less likely to be ingested, but they are introduced into the blood of the birds.

Good luck

DE might be a preventative against lice/mite infestations, but not a treatment. Do you use it for bed bug infestations, termite infestations, carpenter ant infestations, powder post beetle infestations etc? No you dont because DE is ineffective. You use chemicals to treat for those pests. Edited; OP, I recommend you follow 'ChickensAreSweet's' and 'CMV's' advice.

 

[spartacus_63]

No you dont because DE is ineffective.

When was the last time you work a job with me?...or that's right, NEVER!

Actually I do use DE as a persistent perimeter control agent for bedbugs roaches and every other bug I treat for, except spiders. Although I do not treat for termites, it is an effective perimeter tool for them too, according to members of the NPMA. The dust I use for BBs is DE w/a 5% added active ingredient. That active ingredient is a poison that I would not use on or around animals. The label is for cracks and crevices and areas not exposed to direct contact.

There are TONS of poisons that are WAY faster and more effective at killing bugs than DE. The problem is that they ALL have detrimental effects on birds AND humans when NOT used in accordance with the label. I am only providing an opinion on what I would (do) use on my birds. Poisons can have undesired consequences if used for other than intended purposes. These powders that are being recommended here are persistent poisons. They remain active for months! If you dust your coop with one of these poisons in a manor fit to kill the bugs, the birds will be exposed to these poisons and can absorb and or ingest pretty high quantities. Is that what you really want? Not me. The chances that the poison will hurt the bird more than the mites is pretty high in my humble opinion.

Although poultry mites carry pathogens, not all do and rarely pass fatal pathogens on to their host. If your birds are not showing signs other than the irritation from the mites biting and crawling on them, why would you want to expose them to something that could possibly harm them. Poultry mites ONLY thrive on birds. They are not likely to ride into the house and feed on humans or other mammals. Just as BBs prefer people. My point is, consider the consequences of using poison on a problem that is potentially less harmful than the cure.

I use chemicals in my job everyday. I have been educated on the effects of poison on the systems they are designed to interact with. I have seen the results of using poison in manors they were not labeled for. I have merely stated my opinion so the OP will have information from which to make an informed decision. I fail to see why ANYONE thinks THEY know better. If you have an opinion, by all means lets hear it. If you have nothing good to say, keep it to yourself, as my dear grandmother used to tell me.​

 

[PepsNick]

Quote:
Certainly mites... always check you're new location before moving them in. Also, to avoid future problems with mites, I'd recommend adding a small sandbox using playsand for dustbaths when it's not available to them.

 

[CMV]

Quote:
Not true. Mites are probably the most deadly parasite a bird can get. Many more birds have been lost to mite infestations than to insecticides that are used as directed.

I am not going to get into a mud-slinging match with you, but the OP has the right to know the truth from people who have long been dealing with poultry and their health issues. Dawg53 is considered somewhat of an expert in dealing with parasite issues on this forum. His advice has probably saved countless birds and flocks. Before you go and start picking fights with knowledgeable people on this forum you better get your facts straight. DE is ineffective against an established infestation. It is a preventative only. (I even have my doubts about its efficacy as a preventative, but I won't get into that here and now.) The OP needs to use some sort of insecticide to deal with mites. Period.

/Stepping off my soapbox now.

 

[spartacus_63]

Not true. Mites are probably the most deadly parasite a bird can get. Many more birds have been lost to mite infestations than to insecticides that are used as directed.

Do you have facts to back this up? I'd certainly be interested in reading them. As I stated in my post, I have experience with chemicals and poisons and I shared that in this forum. I never told anyone to use or not use anything. I made MY recommendation and included other data that I think is relevant. For you to say something I am saying is NOT TRUE is a bit of a stretch. Also if you READ my comments you will see that I repeated mentioned using chemicals and poisons in a manor not directed by the label. I use chemicals and poisons on a routin basis. I am not a tree hugger or an organic only person. I believe there is a place for chemicals. I also understand the unintended effects when chemicals are used in manors they are not intended for.

BTW, there are many parasites that are FAR deadlier than mites. The following is a url that may be of interest to the OP or anyone else who has parasite problems in the coop. Pay particular attention to the second and last paragraph. Effective treatment for parasites is not an easy one time event.

http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Content/File/p/Anim_Dis/364.pdf

I also would not discount anyone's experience. There is nothing better than personal experience. As I understand the intent of this forum, it is here to share information and experience...not show who is smarter or better.​

 

[spartacus_63]

BTW CMV this was the ENTIRE sentence you quoted from me

The chances that the poison will hurt the bird more than the mites is pretty high in my humble opinion.

Take note of the last four (omitted) words.​

 

[spartacus_63]

As far as I can determine, Eprinex (Eprinomectin) is not labeled for poultry and is not recommended by the manufacturer for any species other than cattle. Sevin uses the active ingredient Carbaryl. Here is a link to a fact sheet from the National Pesticide information Center: http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/carbgen.pdf Carbaryl seems to be fairly non toxic to birds and will probably degrade pretty fast in the coop if you are using a deep liter system. It will last longer on a bare surface. Carbaryl is also degraded by sunlight, it did not mention the effects of artificial light, which could also prolong the exposure to the birds.

I am not an expert on poultry mites and their treatments, but if you are planning to use a dust to address the issue, keep in mind that prolonged exposure to Carbaryl can affect the eggs. Studies have shown that the presence of the chemical in the air when used in indoor treatments is reduced daily and virtually undetectable after three days. Of course these studies were not conducted in chicken coops with scratching chickens.

the following is a fact sheet on Eprinomectin: http://lib3.dss.go.th/fulltext/Journal/J.AOAC 1999-2003/J.AOAC2000/v83n1(jan-feb)/v83n1p31.pdf

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Take note of the last four (omitted) words.

Ok spartagus_63. There will be no arguments from me for sure. You own chickens no doubt: You will have to learn the hard way as have many others that wouldnt listen to others peoples advice about keeping chickens healthy. I can assure you that lice and mites will take down a chicken in a hurry...fiest causing anemia, then death. Good luck.

 

[chkn]

Quote:
When was the last time you work a job with me?...or that's right, NEVER!

Actually I do use DE as a persistent perimeter control agent for bedbugs roaches and every other bug I treat for, except spiders. Although I do not treat for termites, it is an effective perimeter tool for them too, according to members of the NPMA. The dust I use for BBs is DE w/a 5% added active ingredient. That active ingredient is a poison that I would not use on or around animals. The label is for cracks and crevices and areas not exposed to direct contact.

There are TONS of poisons that are WAY faster and more effective at killing bugs than DE. The problem is that they ALL have detrimental effects on birds AND humans when NOT used in accordance with the label. I am only providing an opinion on what I would (do) use on my birds. Poisons can have undesired consequences if used for other than intended purposes. These powders that are being recommended here are persistent poisons. They remain active for months! If you dust your coop with one of these poisons in a manor fit to kill the bugs, the birds will be exposed to these poisons and can absorb and or ingest pretty high quantities. Is that what you really want? Not me. The chances that the poison will hurt the bird more than the mites is pretty high in my humble opinion.

Although poultry mites carry pathogens, not all do and rarely pass fatal pathogens on to their host. If your birds are not showing signs other than the irritation from the mites biting and crawling on them, why would you want to expose them to something that could possibly harm them. Poultry mites ONLY thrive on birds. They are not likely to ride into the house and feed on humans or other mammals. Just as BBs prefer people. My point is, consider the consequences of using poison on a problem that is potentially less harmful than the cure.

I use chemicals in my job everyday. I have been educated on the effects of poison on the systems they are designed to interact with. I have seen the results of using poison in manors they were not labeled for. I have merely stated my opinion so the OP will have information from which to make an informed decision. I fail to see why ANYONE thinks THEY know better. If you have an opinion, by all means lets hear it. If you have nothing good to say, keep it to yourself, as my dear grandmother used to tell me.

Good, I'll have to remember you're our resident bug control guy (or gal)!!!