In the many years of raising chickens I've never had the problems with mites like this year. Have used diatomaceous earth and neem oil, cleaning the coop and changing the nesting flakes out. The majority of the hens and rooster have their feathers returning. However, I have 3 or 4 that I see no sign of feathers returning. I'm really concerned as colder temperatures are around the corner. I am continuing the dusting and needs oil dipping and spraying. Any suggestions?
Are you sure they aren't molting? Mites can do a number on them, too, but they'd have had to be really bad to cause a mass amount of feather loss. 'Tis the season for molting, so that's my guess.
We use diatomaceous earth as a mite/lice prevention, and have done so for nearing a decade, with never a lice or mite in our coop, albeit SLM (scaley leg mites). It doesn't kill those. We use vaseline or ivermectin for them about every two years. If I ever had a mite breakout, I'd use Permethrin powder as it's way faster than the DE.
As for the DE, I'll never change because I know it works
as a prevention. As long as you have food-grade DE, it contains less than 1% crystalline silica, which those opposed to it say is worse and harmful. I won't argue. Just do your own thing.
Feather regrowth is very long-term. Higher protein can help. If you aren't on an all-flock, the Kalmbach's we buy is 20% protein, versus 16% protein for their layer. It's lower in calcium, so you'd have to provide calcium or oyster shell in a separate dish.
We also give them a treat of scrambled eggs about once a week, and just a few mealworms each, about the same. Both are high-protein treats, but the mealworms are very high in fat, so we ration those.
I looked up your weather, and the average low is 36°F. It depends on your breed, but even my bare naked silkies would be okay if that were the low for a few days. We do heat our coops to 40°F, but we wouldn't if 36°F was the lowest we ever got. I'd probably get them a Cozy Coop radiant heater. Those are low-wattage, safe, and they can stand right next to them if they get chilled.
