Fleas in my coop - help!

[omelette's mom]

I just went out to the coop and it is swarming with fleas! They must have just hatched b/c I didn't see them yesterday. What can I do to get rid of them that won't hurt my girls?

The hens all seem to be unaffected - so far. Yikes!

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/poultry/ectoparasites/fleas_of_poultry.html

I haven't dealt with this but here is a link.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7419.html
this is for dogs and cats (do NOT use chemicals listed here on poultry!!!!) but it mentions at the bottom of the link how to deal with outdoor fleas

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=fleas

Also here are some threads that may help until you get more responses!

 

[gander007]

For the best bug control is Guinea hens but they are a little noisy
at times and tend to chase roosters ...

 

[ChickenPox]

I've heard you can actually use frontline on chickens, but don't take that as gospel! I didn't know fleas got on birds..... ??? I would just sprinkle some Seven dust around. Are you sure they are fleas?

 

[JackE]

Check out the link. Good stuff.


http://happyjackinc.com/product/kennel-dip-ii/

 

[lja440]

NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Seven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!IT WILL KILL THE BIRDS TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Use Diatomaceous Earth, protect yourself and the birds from breathing the dust when putting it down (read about it http://www.richsoil.com/diatomaceous-earth.jsp ) I have used it on mite and lice covered rescue birds and my neighbors, a organic dairy, uses it both as a topical and free choice mineral to control flies and internal worms.

 

[ChickenPox]

Seven kills birds? Ive used it for years.....DE doesnt really kill much, my vet said its pretty much snake oil. I knew a lady that fed it to her horses to "deworm" them.....and nearly lost one to colic due to worms. I have noticed it does help keep flies down around the coops, but i dont know if i would trust it to kill fleas.

 

[lja440]

Seven is dangerous. FIL lost a co-worker and friend. He dusted his tomato plants with it, scans protective gear, went to work with some still on his hands and clothing. Worked in a steel mill, got all sweaty and passed out, heart failure. EMT's managed to revive him and transported but he coded again on the way in, DOA. Tox screen showed the cause, Seven.

Because he went down in the mill this became a legal issue, depositions and all. The Dr. stated in his that he could have had the same result quicker and probably much less painful if he would have just shot himself in the head.

Don't believe me read the warnings on Seven containers.

I have been involved with horse rescue for 30 years. I live close to the biggest horse slaughter auction in the US. Worms can cause colic but Seven is NOT!!! a dewormer. that lady needs to be reported to the humane officer like Yesterday! I've pulled horses from the slaughter pens that had such a parasite load that deworming took a Vet to tube worm them. I primarily work on the first part of rescue, working the auction, identifying the horses there and coordinating with people around the country to find someone who can help, then I quarantine, keeping the horses for only 30 days due to injuries (I do wound care) or if the people who baled them out do not have a facility where they can quarantine them themselves.

 

[Sfraker]

Diatomaceous earth worked for me with my dogs. It was recommended to me by a good friend that had success with it. I use it in my garden and have had better harvests with less bugs. It could all be a coincidence but it's safe and worth a try.