Dusting? Dipping? How to prevent parasites?

[TheBirdBabe]

Hello!

Our flock is growing quickly & I'd like to start doing more for pest prevention. I'm currently dusting with DE... but that's it. I haven't previously had any problems with any kind of parasites (we've had pesky bugs in the coop) that are actually ON my birds... but how can I prevent that?

I just brought a new bird (currently in quarantine) to the property that came from a fairly dirty farm. I'd like to treat her as well before I officially introduce her.

I want to hear about your prevention methods!

Thanks!

Pictures of my silkies, Santa & MoonPie that I would love to keep bug free!

 

[SmiYa0126]

Give hens plenty of dust bath access, keep their coop and run clean, and well fed with little bit of treats.

 

[TheBirdBabe]

Give hens plenty of dust bath access, keep their coop and run clean, and well fed with little bit of treats.

They have plenty of dirt & sand to bathe in! They're always.. "dirty"!
I've heard of dumping COOLED ash from a fire in their favourite bathing spots also helps with pests. But as soon as I would dump, they'd move to a new spot!

 

[SmiYa0126]

I read the opposite about ash, I only use it in places where they don't dust bathe, lol. ...oh Internet

 

[nuthatched]

Get some permrethrine poultry dust to dust the birds if you have problems arise. De is both inaffective and bad for you and especially your birds to breathe.

 

[Aunt Angus]

You can add poultry dust to their dust bath areas or just sprinkle all over.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Isn't permethrine toxic to fish and aquatic life? We have a stream just a few feet away.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Isn't permethrine toxic to fish and aquatic life? We have a stream just a few feet away.

I was suggesting to OP. It's just an option.

 

[nuthatched]

Isn't permethrine toxic to fish and aquatic life? We have a stream just a few feet away.

It is if there's a lot of yes, but run off shouldn't affect them.

 

[3KillerBs]

DE is a respiratory irritant and can be harmful to birds' delicate respiratory systems.

*Personally* I don't treat problems I don't have.

IF I actually found ectoparasites on my birds I'd treat them with a permethrin-based poultry dust. But if there isn't a problem then treating can lead to resistance -- making the pesticides ineffective when they're actually needed.