Dusting--best time to do it?

[spuetz07]

I have to dust the flock/coop this weekend. My chickens are free rangers -- all over the yard, around the barn, etc. They return to the coop at night, often roosting higher than I could reach without a ladder. I do have to dust the whole coop and the birds (they have lice). So when I dust, should I do it at night, when they are getting ready to roost, should I do it in the morning and then let them out? Do I need to dust every place they roll around in in the yard (god knows where all those places are!) If I dust them, should I keep them locked in the coop until I know the little pesky bugs are taken care of?
Any advice/helpful experiences would be helpful!! Thanks! (I've never done the dusting thing before)

 

[Judy]

I'd get out the ladder and do it after dark, just because they are so much calmer and easier to handle then. In the morning I'd tackle the coop after letting them out.

But there is no reason you couldn't do it and then let them free range immediately.

You aren't going to kill all the mites where they range, or probably even in the barn, and even if you did, more would come in off wild birds.

Do remember to dust again two weeks after the first dusting, to kill the eggs that have hatched, as the dust will only kill the mites, not their eggs.

Do you use DE? Lots of people feel it helps keep the mites/lice population down. Lots of info on DE on threads listed on the FAQ page, if you are not familiar.

 

[Lollipop]

Easiest way is at night while they are roosting, even if you need a ladder. Saves a lot of chasing and confusion. Dust everything, encluding the nests. They can go out as usual. Check them again in a couple weeks to see if you need to do it again. In really stuborn cases, Adams flea & tick dip works great. Mix it up as directed in a bucket, dip the bird up to it`s neck, make sure to do it early on a warm day so they get dry before roosting. The dip smells for a month, so you know it`s working.........Pop