Flock maintenance

[kdk1101]

We are building a new mega coop and run. I have fought gapeworm twice in my old run and while I have found no mites or evidence of mites on my chickens I do find mites under the bricks I put their feeders and waterers on if I don't spray regularly with Neem oil. What can I do treatment wise before I move them to make sure I don't move any of that with us, especially things with no egg withdrawal? Not DE, not up for discussion. I personally don't like the lung irritant warnings. I know OSHA says it is safe but they said asbestos was safe once upon a time and both of my mom's parents died from it and my mom had early stage mesothelioma but heart failure got her first.

 

[aart]

I do find mites under the bricks I put their feeders and waterers on if I don't spray regularly with Neem oil.

Keep using the Neem?
Are you sure those 'mites' you are finding on the ground but not your birds are poultry mites? I would think they'd be on your birds if they are, so maybe not a concern?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Pyrethrin, the natural form of Permethrin has been used as an insecticide for maybe 1,000 years and until the government changes their mind there is no egg withdrawal warnings with Permethrin.

I have never heard of chicken mites living under bricks or paving stones. Also every form of chicken mite that I am familiar with spends all of its time on the chicken.

The only exception is the Red Mite.

 

[Folly's place]

I use permethrin dust under the bedding in the coop, and permethrin spray as needed for mites or lice on the birds. It works fine, and is only used as needed. If those miserable wild wrens would go away, there wouldn't be a problem at all!
Mary