Dusting for lice and mites

[cairopd1069]

I have read posts where members have dusted their runs and coops with Sevin (5%) or DE. Do you just dust it on the ground and inside the coop with the chickens present or do you have to find somewhere to keep them for a period of time? Any suggestions?

 

[Sierra pachie bars]

I dust depending on how bad a outbreak is. normall I just use cedar chips and throw down DE. (FOOD GRADE) Now if it is bad and I have to many in that coop I dust move one chicken at a time as I go placing them into another empty pen. making sure I dust them all. Dusting with Sevin or a mix of DE and Sevin to the butts and under each wing. Then I go in clean pen with soapy water, then fresh bedding and then dust with DE or Sevin.

 

[averytds]

Usually I have one of the kids hand out birds one at a time in the AM and I dust each bird. Then I dust the empty coop. Really it just lets me know I actually got each bird.


This year we're trying something different. Poultry Protector http://www.carefreeenzymes.com/id36.html Our local feed store carries it. I bought a cheapy garden sprayer last fall for $4. It's really easy to spray everything down once a week. If the weather is nice I do the birds too sometimes. At least their feet/legs.