Death by dusting?

[eggchel]

Im hoping that wont be their epitaph, but two of my SQ cochin cockerels are laying flat on their backs tonight. They were dusted this afternoon with Ectiban D insecticide for poultry and livestock. After being dusted, they were pretty riled up and started sparing, chest bumping, and wing flapping..... creating a cloud of dust. Later I found the two of them laying completely flat on their backs with their feet in the air looking strange. They are still alive, eyes open, occasionally moving their feet or making sounds, but just laying there.
They would look comical if it wasnt so frightening. I dont know if they have injured each other and in some strange coincident both landed in the same position and couldnt move, or if they have some neuro problem possibly related to the dusting.
I cant pick them up because they are still covered with permethrin dust which can trigger serious attacks in asthmatics.

Has anybody seen anything like this before?

I hope the hens dont see this as an opportunity for a little payback and start pecking them while they are down.

chel

 

[dlhunicorn]

I do not use any dusts of any kind around birds...(there is always a liquid version available)...how are they today?

 

[kitty928]

Why in the world would you cover your chickens in something that you wont even touch or go near?? If your chickens are still alive you should wash that stuff off of them, take them indoors ,try to keep them warm and hope for the best. You might also look for a phone number to call on the product you used, or call your veterinarian. Next time try using something like diatomaceous earth. (NOT the pool chemical, the food grade kind of DE) Remember PERMethrins can cause PERMANANT death.

Good Luck

 

[eggchel]

Well, this morning they both appear to be fine. We still dont know what exactly happened, but they may have just kicked each other's butts and inhaled a little too much dust in the process. This morning one was strutting around and the other was hiding in the nest box and both were bloodied. I dont know what set them off, probably us messing with the hens. All of the other poultry and waterfowl that were dusted are fine and didnt have any problems.

I did look up the insecticide, which is labeled for use on poultry and other livestock, and it is supposed to be relatively safe (although Im not inclined to believe that any of that stuff is really safe). Id rather not use anything on them at all, but sometimes it is necessary. We have plenty of D.E. but I cant breathe that dust either and so I needed something that would work quickly and not have to be used constantly in the nests and bedding. Many folks use Sevin garden dust on their chickens as an off-label use to quickly kill parasites but personally, I prefer to use something that is approved for livestock. We did use the liquid version of Sevin to spray in the coops since once it dries it is not a problem for me or the chickens.




chel

 

[SandraChick]

I'm glad your birds are OK, and I hope they settle back down for you.

As a non toxic variation you might consider a few things....

I use tea trea oil mixed in mineral oil on the roosts and nest boxes

Wes uses orange oil I believe (I'm considering switching just for the "nice smell" factor)

I used DE on a rescue chicken that was FULL of feather mites....dusted her once and dusted the bedding etc once. Problem taken care of. Not sure what is not quick about DE. Anyone with lung problems should use a mask whenever dealing with dusty situations....including emptying bags of feed. My mom gets a big box of those that look like thick paper and cover her mouth and nose- as she has been diagnosed with intersticial lung disease....they make a huge difference for her.

Sandra

 

[SpottedCrow]

I wouldn't have been so calm....LOl
I'm glad they're okay today...I have to wear a mask cleaning the chicken room.

 

[eggchel]

SandraChick Thanks for the info about the tea tree oil and mineral oil spray. Where do you buy tea tree oil?

I do have some OrangeGuard oil that we tried for ants..... didnt bother them at all, lol. So I will try that in future, too.

Most folks I know who use D.E. keep the bedding dusted with it all the time to control mites and lice and I cant do that because of the dust issues. I did not have success with a single dusting on a bird that arrived with lice, but didnt try it on the new arrivals with mites. I would certainly prefer to use something non toxic, but the best thing would be something non toxic and dust free.


SpottedCrow......LOL, I wasnt that calm until hours after the event when my dd looked up all the info on the insecticide and convinced me that neither she nor the chickens were going to die from exposure. Thats when I posted. Before that I was a wreck.


chel

 

[SandraChick]

I get it at riteaid (pharmacy)--- had to ask to find it though!

good luck
Sandra

 

[Citychick]

DE is supposed to be really safe it is abrassive to the insects. It get's through the outer waxy like barrier on the insects body and they quickly dehydrate and die it is supposed to work on internal parasites too. I've been reading on this for use on my chickens when they get older but I love the tea tree and orange oil suggestion.

 

[pegbo]

Hi. I dusted my hens when I first got them but never again. I think because they are so suceptible to resipatory infections. I was told by a few people the best thing to use in the coop and on the hens is the dirt they use for swimming pool filters,[can,t spell it] but it,s even safe for the chicks to eat and dust in. The insects eat it and die yeh!