broken feathers, mites *if you are experiencing this, PLEASE READ*

[Sunflowergirl]

Thanks so much for this info and the dipping pics, really helpful. I thought I just had a problem with too much preening or a rooster being a bit rough, until the hen with the bald patch really got bald ( most of the feathers on her back gone and on the sides of the patch, feathers broken off) Going to start with olive oil until I can get some sulphur. I have only ever seen it in powder form here, perhaps i can make a paste or also just dip her. Thanks again.

You can also take the powdered sulfur and put it in a panty hose stocking, tie it off and use that to dust them like people do with Sevin or Permethrin. Hang them upside down and dust under wings, around vent area and along front and back. Just make sure that whatever kind of sulfur you work with to wear clothes you don't mind having the permanent smell of sulfur!

 

[uzisuzuki]

I was just curious how you can tell any of these treatments is working. Right now, this week will be week 4 of the sulfur dip method & I'm not sure it's working for my little rooster (or that I'm doing it right). He is growing feathers back in his tail area but not on his chest. Also, the damaged feathers are falling out.

Is it okay to do the Sevin Dust in a sock next week or should I wait a little while between it & the last sulfur dip this weekend?

 

[Sunflowergirl]

I was just curious how you can tell any of these treatments is working. Right now, this week will be week 4 of the sulfur dip method & I'm not sure it's working for my little rooster (or that I'm doing it right). He is growing feathers back in his tail area but not on his chest. Also, the damaged feathers are falling out.

Is it okay to do the Sevin Dust in a sock next week or should I wait a little while between it & the last sulfur dip this weekend?

Off the top of my head, the one thing I can think of to notice is if they seem to be scratching less. I do think it takes a while to get through all the already damaged feathers.

I am getting ready to start treatment on mine this weekend. So, I will watch to see what I notice...

 

[tierfontein]

Thanks, started the sulphur dusting, on day 2 now, will keep it up for a few more days and then wait and see. We are in the middle of a wet cold winter so I did'nt have the heart to dip them. I guess I will then dust every week until I see some results. Been watching the coup carefully now as I remember reading that this mite 's origin is wild birds. My coup is visited by at least 4 species of wild birds who forage right next to the chickens even going into their laying coup, I used to be enchanted but not any more. Will have to work on that. Thanks again.

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Thanks, started the sulphur dusting, on day 2 now, will keep it up for a few more days and then wait and see. We are in the middle of a wet cold winter so I did'nt have the heart to dip them. I guess I erewill then dust every week until I see some results. Been watching the coup carefully now as I remember reading that this mite 's origin is wild birds. My coup is visited by at least 4 species of wild birds who forage right next to the chickens even going into their laying coup, I used to be enchanted but not any more. Will have to work on that. Thanks again.

Here is to hoping it will make a difference!!!
I need to go back and read up on this mite to see what the life cycle time frame is! Theoretically, when you dust or dip, you kill the live ones. Then you have to wait until the eggs hatch and try to dust or dip again before those are old enough to lay eggs, thereby ending the cycle of perpetuating the mites!!!

 

[Sunflowergirl]

This publication by Texas A&M, http://posc.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2012/08/b-10881.pdf
gives a little bit of information on page 13. It says that it takes 10 to 14 days to go from egg to egg laying female. It also says the egg hatches 5 days after laid. So, I would think the recommendation to dip/dust 7 days after the first dip would be right. I wonder if a total of 3 to 4 dips/dustings every 7 days would do the trick!?

We are in summer here and I just dipped mine in the limed sulphur dip on Saturday (the 25th).

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Just finished my 2nd week dip on the 16 I had in the big pen. Did my cockerel pen of 7 for their first round. I was just too tired after my first round of dipping 16 last week to even think of going over to the cockerel pen!
Definitely helps to move the buckets to waist level! Set them on folding chairs this time around. In my first pen, the worst ones seem to be getting a lot of feather regrowth. Did seem to be some less scratching of themselves. For sure a lot less scratching than my poor 7 cockerels.
To be honest, I don't know if I want to do a round THREE!!! lol! But I will definitely do the 7 cockerels next Saturday. I will watch my twice dipped ones to see how they seem to be doing.

 

[dynomy]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to all of you for posting this information. I'm having the same trouble with my girls and unfortunately have a huge pigeon and dove problem in my area. Fortunately my Labrador Hannah shares the coop area her run and our yard with them and chases them away. Actually my black giants and one of my bantam polish have started to imitate her in a chase. Crazy.
Does anyone have a good suggestion for getting rid of red ants? We have an infestation inside and out of the of big ones and small ones all over. I have used design but it doesn't work on most of them. Looked on the Internet for animal safe stuff but not having any success. Any suggestions other than using gasoline and setting fire to the ant hills?

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Does anyone have a good suggestion for getting rid of red ants? We have an infestation inside and out of the of big ones and small ones all over. I have used design but it doesn't work on most of them. Looked on the Internet for animal safe stuff but not having any success. Any suggestions other than using gasoline and setting fire to the ant hills?

You might do a search with "red ants" on BYC to see if anyone else has asked this question. Or, you could start your own post to ask this question to see if you get more views. Sorry, I can't help you with an answer! Hope this helps though! Best finding an answer!!!

 

[dynomy]

Thank you - will do.