Bugs/Scabies/Mites

[LamarshFish]

I give my hens a combination of soil and wood ashes to dust bathe in.

I didn't know pigeons like dusts baths. I'll have to offer that to my birds. Why just the hens though?

 

[ChickNanny13]

You can offer to all but hens tend to load up on it when they brood (nesting). I would dust the nest (lightly) prior to them setting. Others may not agree but prevention is my system.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I didn't know pigeons like dusts baths

I must apologize for the confusion pigeons do not like dust baths. When I said hens i was referring to laying hens and actually chickens.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I didn't know pigeons like dusts baths

I must apologize for the confusion pigeons do not like dust baths. When I said hens i was referring to laying hens and actually chickens.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I must apologize for the confusion pigeons do not like dust baths. When I said hens i was referring to laying hens and actually chickens.

When my brother raised pigeons, he'd dust the nests & birds (vent, tail area, under wings, on the back) Back in those days we used Sevin not sure what's recommended now.

 

[jak2002003]

Never had to dust my pigeons for mites or lice. Keeping them for over 20 years. Healthy, well kept birds will not have these kind of parasites.

If someone notices their birds are infested with mites, ticks, lice, etc they must look at how they are keeping them... probably overcrowded, dirty conditions, or run down sick birds suffering from a disease, making them more prone to these parasites.

 

[LamarshFish]

I must apologize for the confusion pigeons do not like dust baths. When I said hens i was referring to laying hens and actually chickens.

Gotcha, that's what I thought. My brother's chickens love dust baths.

My pigeons just like regular baths! And they don't just like them, they LOVE them.

 

[bythesea]

Permethrin is probably the most effective to treat already affected birds. I think they sell concentrates made for birds, that you water down and spray on the bird.

You can also dust them and their cage/loft in food grade diatomaceous earth, as well as offer them a bath treated with borax (they love baths, just offer them a container at least 18" diameter and 4-6" deep). Both kill parasites.

Dusting with diatomaceous earth and giving borax baths can be done as a preventative measure as well. I do it about weekly.

 

[bythesea]

Thanks to everyone for all the help. I never knew so many would be willing to help with great ideas.