Bad outbreak of red mite in chicks coops

[Companihen]

So gutted. I have 2 coops with chicks in... 11 week olds. I have suspected mites a few weeks ago so have been using DE when cleaning out coops and spraying with tea tree oil / smite spray twice a week. Tonight I was out until late and when I got home to secure the coops I shone my torch round and the coops are absolutely alive with mites.... loads and loads. Gutted and terrified for my chicks.

What is the best I can do for them now? Tonight I dusted each chick and the perch and then popped the chicks back on the perches....

But going forward how can I sort this?! And try and eliminate mites... appreciate any response or help you can give.

Usually I fully clean coops once a week and spot clean every day or so. But I've been cleaning out and hoovering them out twice a week since I first spotted a few mites about 4 weeks ago. Chicks have a dusting every now and then. They have access to dust bath each day in dry soil.

 

[aart]

so have been using DE when cleaning out coops and spraying with tea tree oil / smite spray twice a week

So you've learned that these products will not eliminate an infestation.

You'll need some permethrin dust or spray for the birds skin(not just the feathers) and some permethrin spray for the coop, soaking every crack and crevice. Both treatments every 5 days for 3-4 weeks. Burning all bedding at that time would help too.

 

[nuthatched]

Get some permethrine or elector psp. DE will not work and tea tree oil is toxic to birds.

 

[Companihen]

Yes i have learnt that

Thanks very much for both your responses. I'll get the permethrin asap and treat accordingly...

Feel incredibly bad sleeping in my bed tonight knowing what my chicks are sleeping in.

Is DE dangerous to chicks? And how long before this mite infestation becomes dangerous?

 

[Companihen]

Get some permethrine or elector psp. DE will not work and tea tree oil is toxic to birds.

Are they easy to get hold of in the uk?

 

[nuthatched]

Are they easy to get hold of in the uk?

I'm not sure but what your doing now unfortunately will not help.
https://www.diy-pest-control.co.uk/product/residex-p-insecticide-powder/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/permethrin/s?k=permethrin

 

[Companihen]

I'm not sure but what your doing now unfortunately will not help.
https://www.diy-pest-control.co.uk/product/residex-p-insecticide-powder/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/permethrin/s?k=permethrin

Thanks for the links...I'd seen the Amazon one. I'll search around and get something asap so that I can actually be doing something helpful.

Thank you very much

 

[Al Gerhart]

While asking and learning how to kill the mites, also figure out what vermin is bringing the mites into the flock in the first place and stop the influx. Most likely culprit would be wild birds unless you have recently added new birds to the flock.

 

[Companihen]

While asking and learning how to kill the mites, also figure out what vermin is bringing the mites into the flock in the first place and stop the influx. Most likely culprit would be wild birds unless you have recently added new birds to the flock.

Yes I'm thinking probably pigeons... I free range my chickens and I have seen the pigeons in the run by the food although that's not near the coops. Pigeons go on the run roof too. Don't want to spk too soon but I haven't seen rats for a long while, do get the occasional mouse.

 

[Al Gerhart]

While mites aren't impossible to be brought in by rodents, it would be very unlikely. Most mites are usually either species specific to some extent or at least restricted to avian hosts.

Bio security is so important for chicken flocks. At least remove access to the feed with a good treadle feeder so the pigeons leave. Vermin like wild birds and rodents bring disease and pests into your flock. They pay for themselves in feed savings just through feed waste alone. Expensive, I know, but if you need one you are already paying for one.