BAD mite infestation! what do I do?

[jujubean99]

I have 30 bantam chickens (7 adults and 22 month olds) and they are all infested really badly with mites. They are always preening and scratching and on the lighter colored ones I can see the mites on them (eeww) It gives me the wiggins knowing that they all have these creepy crawly things on them 24/7. How do I rid them of the mites?

 

[eggsrcool]

Put some powder on the birds, and give the coops a thorough clean

 

[DaughterOfEve]

poultry dust can be bought at tractor supply - pro: fast and effective con: chemicals
pour on for cattle bought on-line(haven't seen it locally) - effective on many pests con - waiting for the mail and chemicals
dip your birds in soapy water(not the head) and do not rinse. The soap sufficates the mite\\lice. I don't know if this works or not.

 

[DLS]

what about 5% seven dust will that work? seven dust was originally made for fowl --then spread out.

 

[redturtle]

didnt know about sevin dust...anybody use it on their chickens?
ive heard of lettting them dust bathe in DE for mites
but definitely clean your coop very well...hottest water u can stand and lots of soap suds...let air dry

 

[jujubean99]

thanks for the advice! I have treated my grown up chickens before but I was just worried about the babies, if the chemicals would be to rough on them? They free range every day around my yard and take dust baths, but the babies are still to scared to venture very far from the coop. I will definitly clean out their coop and try the soap thing. I feel a little stupid asking this, but what is DE?
Thanks!

 

[BankerJohn]

Have you considered providing a dust bath of Diatomaceous Earth? I'm following this thread for advise and answers too.

 

[SallyOK]

DE is Diatomaceous Earth, you can look it up online.

It usually works to prevent mites but not so much to get rid of them.