Bug control in the coop and on the chicken??

[GirlieChick]

So Ive been noticing these tiny black/brownish bugs crawling on my hands after I hold my chickens. I believe they are mites and I dont know what to do to get rid of them. Ive tried Seven on the chicken itself but that didnt make them go away. I always mixed Seven with some lime and put it under their bedding in the coop. The bugs are still there though. Im really worried about my chickens getting really sick from this. Any advice??
I was also wondering if anyone knew about mites and humans? Can they affect/bite humans? And if the human carries them inside will they live on household pets like a cat??
Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[lady feathers]

Sounds like mites.... I don't know personally as I am fairly new to chickens and my hens arn't having the issue with cold temps right now in Michigan but I have read on hear before about treatments that were placed on the chickens bum, in the nest boxes after removing and burnong bedding from boxes and coop, then fresh bedding was added and treatment spread on that too.... then repeated in like 10 days or something like tht for the second batch of mites that would have hatched after first teatment.... keep searching the posts they are on here somewhere. And yes, I believe they can end up on you be sure to wash your hands/arms thoroughly after handling your chickens. Not sure if your cat can get them or not! Hopefully someone else pipes up here and can give you the name of some good stuff to use!

 

[PapaChaz]

if those are mites as it sounds like they are, you'll have to treat the coop as well as the chickens. the mites like to live in the cracks and crevices in the coop and come out at night. treat the girls, totally clean out the coop and treat it as well, it's the only way you'll get rid of them! if it were lice, you could treat just the flock, they won't live off the 'host' but the mites will hide out and wait...

 

[dawg53]

Most likely the reason that the sevin didnt work was because you didnt redust them in 10 days. The parasites eggs hatch within that time frame and that's why you should redust. There may be instances that you might have to redust a third or fourth time, depending on the severity of the infestation. Then, their lifecycle will be broken.

 

[calicokat]

With mites, you want to get that Sevin dust into the cracks and crevices of the coop, nest boxes, etc. The bugs go there to hide out, then when a fluffy chicken presents itself - the bugs hop back on for a ride!

 

[GirlieChick]

Thank you for your advice. I was planning on doing a good spring cleaning to the coop anyways.Is lime harmful to chickens when its spread under the bedding?