bird lice

[dbullock]

What about the Adams flea spray, I have some of that. Does anyone have any experience with it?

My hens go straight for my son's sand box and will stay in there forever "dusting" themselves. Does this mean they have mites? I have not noticed any getting on me when in the pen.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Adams: see post #3.

Chickens take dust baths regularly. It does not indicate a problem. If you put some DE in their dust bathing hole, they will dust themselves with it.

To apply dust, some put it in something like an old knee high and use it like a powder puff. Especially get the neck, under the wings and around the vent. Others put the chicken in a plastic bag, except the head of course, with a little of the dust and shake gently to distribute.

I like the Adams' spray because I find it easier to use, and I figure it is less toxic than Sevin, though who really knows....

 

[Judy]

Oops, missed that they are dust bating in a child's sand box. Might put a kitty litter box or something similar in their coop or run, add some DE, and see if they will dust bathe in there.

 

[dbullock]

I loaded one corner of their pen with sand yesterday. I am hoping that will keep them out the sandbox. Does the dust bathing mean they have mites?

 

[Equus5O]

I just bought "DAIRY AND LIVESTOCK DUST," which contains Permethrin, from TSC. It indicates that it can be used on poultry. To my knowledge, the girls don't have any buggies, but I was thinking of it as a preventative.

Rather than actually dusting the birds with it, what about mixing it into their dust bath (in my case, their sand bath) so that they can dust themselves with it?

 

[Judy]

Quote:
This would work. It is an insecticide, though, even though it is not a heavy duty one; it is made from flowers, I forget, some kind of daisy I think. It breaks down quickly in sunlight. Might be they would get resistant if you did this too often. Maybe once every few months, since they are going to be exposed from wild birds.