Best prevention for lice and mites?

[maddyaugust]

hi there,

I'm a new chicken mom.

I would like tips on preventing lice and mites. Should I dust even if they are healthy? What do people recommend for dusting? I would like to keep things as natural/organic as possible.

I have 6 15 week old chickens that are lovely, healthy, and friendly. During the day they are confined to 60+ foot run, the coop is raised and part of the run is underneath the coop. I understand that dust baths are a good thing, but is it possible to create a dust bath in a run? They do seem to "bathe" in the dirt underneath the coop. But I wonder how healthy can this be considering that there must be some poop in the dirt.

Also I would like to pick up the chickens in order to inspect them but although they will eat out of my hand, they won't let me pet them, much less pick them up (I got them at 12 weeks).


thank you, and I hope questions okay for this thead!

 

[sunflour]

Dust or dirt baths is the best prevention and IMO treat only if you find a problem. The pests can become resistant to treatments.

Food grade DE is recommended by many, mixed with sand, dirt, ash. Search on site for sand baths and there's lots of input on the ratio. But do be careful if you use the DE, it is not something we want to inhale or want our flock to inhale either.

A little dried poop never hurt anyone it's the wetter ones that they will avoid. I have sand in my run and the poops are dried naturally and can be sifter out periodically, and they have a choice of anywhere to bathe. Horse stall freshener = PDZ also dries wet sand, dirt or bedding and prevents smells. Doesn't cause harm if they eat it - but get the granular and not the powder type. There are some herbs folks recommend, but my flock ate any I tried.

Try sitting in the run - a bucket is better than on the dirt ( learned that with one sit in the sand experience Get down to their level is less intimidating to them. Let them come to you with some hand held treats and scatter some in front of you. You will be able to get a pretty good look at the down under bum and feathers. Don't worry unless you start to see signs of infestations.

Keep coop and ends of the roosts clean.

so glad you have joined us.

 

[maddyaugust]

thank you - the PDZ sounds like a great recommendation, I'll get some! & I'll focus more on the roost the next time I clean the coop.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I use plain wood ash. If you burn wood it's a free and always available. Mix a lot into existing dirt bath areas or by itself in a old wash basin or similar container for an all ash dust bathing area. Will work as a drying agent to hinder insects just like DE does.