Can I spray paint my chickens feet?

[LillyCat]

I have 30 chickens including 16 rowdy teenagers and 2 babies. I think one or two of my hens have mites and I know I need to treat everyone (and the coop, clean out bedding, DE, etc). My plan is to go into the coop at night to apply the mite powder, otherwise I can't catch them.

Once I've riled a few up, I expect I may not get everyone treated in one go. Can I spray paint the feet of the chickens I've treated so I will know who still needs to be treated the next night?

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Can I spray paint the feet of the chickens I've treated so I will know who still needs to be treated the next night?

Get you some tiny cable ties. Don't make them too tight.

I use sevin dust for mites. been doing that since 4H about 20 yrs ago. DE is not gunna get the job done.

Best regards
FC

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

I wouldn’t spray paint my chickens, but that’s just my opinion.

 

[Kiki]

I wouldn't use spray paint either.
Also DE isn't going to rid mites.

You should invest in some Permethrin to treat both your birds and coop with.
You needs to treat both weekly for 3 consecutive weeks.


One of many types of Permethrin sprays.

Martin's PERMETHRIN spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• 6
• flies lice mites permethrin

If you are needing to treat for scaly legs mites you can spray this daily for a week to smother them.
View media item 7895288

 

[Lazy Farmer]

I wouldn't use spray paint either.
Also DE isn't going to rid mites.

You should invest in some Permethrin to treat both your birds and coop with.
You needs to treat both weekly for 3 consecutive weeks.


One of many types of Permethrin sprays.

Martin's PERMETHRIN spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• 6
• flies lice mites permethrin

If you are needing to treat for scaly legs mites you can spray this daily for a week to smother them.
View media item 7895288

 

[Cyprus]

You could use the kind of chalk used on hoofstock. Spray paint is a no-no.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

I strongly recommend you not to use DE. It can seriously damage you and your chickens lungs, and it won’t get rid of mites.

 

[LillyCat]

I wasn't going to treat the mites with DE, I have permethrin mite powder for the birds. I was going to sprinkle DE onto the inside walls and floor of the coop the day after I use the liquid permethrin spray on those surfaces. Is DE safe for areas the birds don't really touch much, or should I avoid it all together? Does DE not help prevent mites?

 

[BantyChooks]

I don't see why you couldn't. They can't eat it, it's not the kind of thing to be absorbed if you're applying it in small quantities, and honestly, unless your chickens are bored out of their skulls the colour difference isn't that much of a big thing. I have used paint as a marker before.

 

[aart]

Does DE not help prevent mites?

No..and not needed after spraying with permethrin.
I'd use ziptie bands for marking birds, add them the first time you treat, remove them the second time you treat.
Just don't like the idea of spray painting a chicken...
...but if you do please report back with pics