Girls won't sleep in their coop

[mlfairbanks]

 

[mlfairbanks]

Found these horrible little red things. I just cleaned the coop day before yesterday and treated it! Oh no

 

[junebuggena]

Found these horrible little red things. I just cleaned the coop day before yesterday and treated it! Oh no

Those are mites. And DE is only a deterrent. You need to use some sort of pesticide to kill an active infestation like that. Pyrethrin and Neem oil are more natural choices.
Your girls are red sexlinks, not Rhode Island Reds. And you coop is tiny for 4 large breed hens. They need a minimum of 4 sq ft per bird inside the coop. That's the little house portion.

 

[N F C]

Those are mites. And DE is only a deterrent. You need to use some sort of pesticide to kill an active infestation like that. Pyrethrin and Neem oil are more natural choices.
Your girls are red sexlinks, not Rhode Island Reds. And you coop is tiny for 4 large breed hens. They need a minimum of 4 sq ft per bird inside the coop. That's the little house portion.

x2 on @junebuggena 's answers. You can find Pyrethrin at TSC or a farm store similar to that. They probably have Neem oil too. Can the coop be enlarged?

 

[mlfairbanks]

thanks! well i scrubbed it all down again.. i used a combo i found online with dish soap, oil and water.. then let that dry for a bit and covered it all in neem oil.

because it labor day everyplace is closed! i will go tomorrow and get more things..

i covered their dirt bath in firewood dust and D earth. will also coat the entire coop in that mix as well.

i feel so bad that they have mites in the house! obviously new to chickens so i didn't know what to look for.. did they get them because i didn't clean it well enough? are you supposed to hose it down once a week? I was only doing it once a month.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[mlfairbanks]

and yes we will get a larger coop for winter for sure! we were told 2 sq foot per hen

 

[junebuggena]

and yes we will get a larger coop for winter for sure! we were told 2 sq foot per hen

That sq footage is for bantams. Bantams only need 2 sq ft per bird. Larger breeds need more. Leghorn type breeds need a minimum of 4 sq ft. Dual purpose type breeds need at least 5 sq ft. Extra large breeds need even more room.

 

[N F C]

Mites are a common problem for chickens (and owners). Wild birds can pass them on and there isn't a lot you can do to keep wild birds from flying over! It does not mean you aren't doing a good job, it can, and does, happen to anyone.

 

[mlfairbanks]

Once it is thoroughly cleaned how will I get the chickens back inside to sleep? Thanks for that I feel better. I scrubbed it literally nine times today with neem oils and soaps. Covered it in ashes and de.