How can I stop my hens from getting mites when they sit on eggs?

[gguineasfamily]

I heard that when chickens go broody they get mites. My guinea hens often go broody and my tamest hen Chatterbox is broody now. She is so tame she just lets me pat her and I really don't want her to get itchy red mites. Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[lismarc]

Prevention is key, as you know. The easiest and cheapest way I found is to have a box of wood ash in their run for them to dust in. I usually have that on hand. You can also use Garden and Poultry dust.

I also put garlic powder in their feed. I know it helps deter fleas and ticks, not 100% on if its good for mites but (knock on wood) I've not had any problem with any parasite.

Hope that helps.

 

[gguineasfamily]

I'll try that.

 

[LTygress]

You are in Australia, so I don't know if you can get ivermectin, but that would work too. Since she isn't laying eggs while broody, it would be safe to give to her now.

 

[gguineasfamily]

They do lay eggs while broody.