Australorp mite/lice issue....REAL experience needed!

[stevodod]

I just picked up 5 FABULOUS and HUGE Australorps, 8 months old and just started laying 2 months ago. They are hefty and very healthy, although shy.

However, upon close inspection, one bird (so I assume all) had mites/lice on it's skin (armpit area) after checking for several minutes. From what I've seen online, it's not severe at ALL, and the skin/feathers are not yet affected. That's the good of it. The bad is that I have to treat.

I've read all the posts, and seen so many responses, but really NONE with actual experience (that I've seen). I've seen Sevin Dust, wood ash, DE, Dawn....

I don't want to 'try' anything, I just want them gone. So is there anybody who has actually USED any of these with any success? I've had success with fleas and Sevin dust, but I have plenty of wood ash, that would be cool!

I will definitely Sevin dust and DE the coop area, but this problem came from other birds. I'm thankful for them, but kinda upset the owner didn't disclose....ugh!

Thanks!

Steve N Tracee

 

[Valkyrie123]

Old timer here. I run a large hatchery and have been at this for a long time. I have a standard treatment that I do every Fall when NPIP testing.

This will take care of lice, mites and worms:

Head down to the Fleet Farm store and get some Liquid Ivermectin. Put 2-3 drops on each of your chickens on the back skin right between the wings. This will kill roundworms but not heartworm. It can prevent heartworm infestation from happening.

While you are at Fleet look for Rotenone in the garden section, you might get lucky. Don't count on it. If no luck, head to E-Bay and order several pounds. When it arrives put a pinch on the vent of every bird you own. Next find their dusting holes and put a teaspoon full of Rotenone in each hole. They will dust themselves. Renew after it rains. I like to put just a little in the coop on the floor along the walls. Gets the climbers.

Now just to clean things up real good and make sure everything is gone get a can of Cooking Vegetable Oil Spray like 'PAM' or better the cheap generic brand, you won't be eating it. Spray the perches real good with the cooking spray making sure to get the bottoms. This is where leg mites hang out. The cooking spray penetrates the cracks in the wood very well and will kill the mites hiding there. With luck the chickens will still be able to get a grip and won't end up hanging upside down like bats all night.

I do this every Fall when NPIP testing so I know the birds are very clean and healthy for the Winter. The Rotenone is very effective in the dusting holes, it will save you a lot of work if you have a lot of birds.

Warning: If you have a collie dog do not let it anywhere near Ivermectin. It will drop them dead on contact.

This method has been working for me for over 20 years and I expect it will for another 20 if I live that long. Nice to meet a realist. Good luck.

 

[stevodod]

Old timer here. I run a large hatchery and have been at this for a long time. I have a standard treatment that I do every Fall when NPIP testing.

This will take care of lice, mites and worms:

Head down to the Fleet Farm store and get some Liquid Ivermectin. Put 2-3 drops on each of your chickens on the back skin right between the wings. This will kill roundworms but not heartworm. It can prevent heartworm infestation from happening.

While you are at Fleet look for Rotenone in the garden section, you might get lucky. Don't count on it. If no luck, head to E-Bay and order several pounds. When it arrives put a pinch on the vent of every bird you own. Next find their dusting holes and put a teaspoon full of Rotenone in each hole. They will dust themselves. Renew after it rains. I like to put just a little in the coop on the floor along the walls. Gets the climbers.

Now just to clean things up real good and make sure everything is gone get a can of Cooking Vegetable Oil Spray like 'PAM' or better the cheap generic brand, you won't be eating it. Spray the perches real good with the cooking spray making sure to get the bottoms. This is where leg mites hang out. The cooking spray penetrates the cracks in the wood very well and will kill the mites hiding there. With luck the chickens will still be able to get a grip and won't end up hanging upside down like bats all night.

I do this every Fall when NPIP testing so I know the birds are very clean and healthy for the Winter. The Rotenone is very effective in the dusting holes, it will save you a lot of work if you have a lot of birds.

Warning: If you have a collie dog do not let it anywhere near Ivermectin. It will drop them dead on contact.

This method has been working for me for over 20 years and I expect it will for another 20 if I live that long. Nice to meet a realist. Good luck.

So you treat for all things! Like the PAM idea. The Rotenone seems like the thing, thanks for that tip.

What's weird is that I just did the Sevin dust thing tonight- and I couldn't find a SINGLE bug on any of the 5 new birds.....not on vents, under wings, at the ends of feathers, ANYWHERE! Could these have been grain mites?