Dusting and mites?

[cabela]

How can you tell if your chickens have mites? I bought some powder at Fleet Farm when I got all my chick supplies. I have 5 hens about 8-10 wks. old. How do you go about dusting? Do I put it outside in the sand I have in their run or inside in the nesting boxes? I am new to this so would appreciate any feedback, thanks

 

[CMV]

I've only had mites once in my birds and it was immediately obvious that they had a problem. They started losing feathers (new feathers that they had just gotten because they all went through a hard molt a few months prior), stopped laying eggs, and started shaking their heads constantly. I guessed they had mites and treated them without visual verification. I don't recommend doing this usually, but I needed to do my annual de-worming on my birds anyways so I treated them with a product that kills both worms and external parasites. Their relief was impressively quick, and by the next day they were laying eggs again.

I used to use Sevin dust to treat my birds, but don't use it anymore. The easiest way to dust a skittish bird is to stuff them in a pillowcase filled with your dust up to their neck, and shake them around. Get them well dusted and remove bird from the sack. Take care to keep the dust out of their faces and out of your lungs. Re-treat in 7-10 days.

I used to treat my birds regularly for potential parasites, but I have a much more relaxed attitude toward it these days. I now only treat for external parasites when there are signs or symptoms of them. I still de-worm my birds, but instead of doing it twice a year I only do it once a year unless there are signs of something wrong.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[dawg53]

CMV is correct. I do the same thing when dealing with parasites, whether it's lice/mites or worms. I dont use a pillowcase though, I prefer to use a small garbage bag with sevin dust in it and gently 'shake and bake.' I think as far as worming goes...it depends on the weather. If you live in an area where it rains alot, hot and humid....the soil will be for condusive for worms, rather than a dry heat or cold environment. Sometimes I've had to worm every 6 months, other times once a year. I'd rather not worm at all, but it doesnt work like that unfortunately.

 

[cabela]

Thanks, I guess I heard you were supposed to just dust the bedding areas, not the actual bird? I never even heard about deworming, oh great something else to worry about. How do you know if they have worms?

 

[TNRIRRoo]

Pillow case? Good idea. I guess it would tend to upset the hens a lot less than the way I normally do it. Usually i let her hang upside down for just a second, dust her bottom and then ruffle her feathers.

 

[Ridgerunner]

This site has pictures that might help identify a problem. If you dust or spray them, it is probably a good idea to wear a dust mask and do it with plenty of proper ventilation.

Ohio State – Mites and Lice
http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

These links can give you some information on worms, but I do not have a regular worming program. Mine have never had mites, lice or worms. When I see a problem I will handle it, but I personally choose not to treat for something that might or might not be a problem. It is the same thought proces as in my garden. If I have a pest infestation that is serious enough to need treating, I identify the pest and treat appropriately. I do not blindly go out and apply pesticide to what I am going to eat just because I can. We all have different priorties and ways we do things. In my opinion, purely a personal choice.

Threehorses Worm Thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=213065&p=1

Florida Worm Page
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/VM/VM01500.pdf

Good luck!

 

[chicmom]

Quote:
Good information all around! I do toss some Sevin Dust around in the new bedding every now and then. Kind of as a preventative.

 

[MnKnight]

CMV what do you use for a de worming product? and how is it used?

thanks

 

[dieselgrl48]

Wow thanks for the idea.I only had lice or mite's once and it was hard trying to treat 12 bird's from 2 pen's that had them.It's hard to get the dust on them good especially if they haven't been held daily a lot.I still have Willy's when going to those 2 pens yet and that has been a year and a half ago.I dusted them really good though.So hopefully no more problem's.But will keep this idea in mind should I have to again.

 

[flgardengirl]

I can't imagine trying to stuff a huge rooster into a pillow case or trash bag to put dust on him. I bet mine would freak out and go ballistic if they even saw a trash bag coming thier way lol.
I dread when/if they get mites.