Illinois...

[Faraday40]

@homeschoolin momma
Uh Oh!
Will you be coming home with ducks?

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

At least I'm glad the world is slowing down if nothing else.
I hope everyone stays safe on their "virus vacation".

 

[Faraday40]

Now I need all y'alls advice on your best treatments for lice and mites. I found lice last Sunday and upon reexamining today, also found mites. I treated all 20 chickens last Sunday evening with DE while inside the coop. So all the bedding and pretty much everything, myself included, looked like a snowman by the time I was done.

I bought a Permethrin concentrate to mix with water in a sprayer. I removed the feed & water & kicked the chickens out for the day. I sprayed it around the coop, run, and every little crack I could. I also dusted the chickens.
*This is not an "organic" method. I wanted quick easy chemical death. I've heard of some people spraying it directly on the livestock, but I would not recommend that.

I have a new TSC just down the road.......I will not walk out with baby chicks. I promise.

..... Just ducks!

 

[homeschoolin momma]

Will you be coming home with ducks?

No, but inthought @breeder and @cavemanrich would like to see them.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

I've heard diatomaceous earth keeps out lice and mites?

 

[BReeder!]

I need to place mine too. Would love if you would be able to pick up. Will keep you posted.

Now I need all y'alls advice on your best treatments for lice and mites. I found lice last Sunday and upon reexamining today, also found mites. I treated all 20 chickens last Sunday evening with DE while inside the coop. So all the bedding and pretty much everything, myself included, looked like a snowman by the time I was done. So everyday I clean up in the coop, I keep stirring up the dust. I figured this would help kill whatever is in the cracks and crannies and then I could clean out the coop completely in a week or two because the dust is hard on everyones lungs, although they really haven't seemed too bothered by it. I could be seeing what has hatched since then, or it just may not be working. The chicken chick says it's just not a helpful product and suggest using Elector esp which is poultry vet reccommend and can be used on bedding as well. One treatment. But the stuff on Amazon is 139 bucks and who knows when I would actually get it. I don't think that is an "essential" item. What have you guys used that works well? There's no telling how long I've had them. I have a double white recessive that has had a naked butt for over a year. I had checked for mites way back, but never found anything. She still has a naked butt. The only reason I found this is because Lacey and one of my chocolates refused to go out in the morning. I checked for any mating wounds on their sides, but all I found were bald spot on their lower rears. You can't even see it with all their butt fluff. Didn't see anything. Checked last week and just barely saw a lice scrambling. My egg production has been down for about a month now, so I'm guessing it's been bad for at least a month. It's just the orps. Spitzies don't seem to have any nor do the little ones in the garage. I'm open to suggestions. I'm going off shopping today.I need to do a reno on the serama coop. Broody mamas giving scratching lessons has destroyed the plastic flooring and I need to come up with a solution. My dad and I think we've got one, but I need to go get some wood. Also need to see what the grocery stores don't have. I'll have my phone on me, so any responses will come through. I have a new TSC just down the road.......I will not walk out with baby chicks. I promise.

Permethrin should work is is considered safe indoors. I'm not fully certain about applying it directly to the birds though. You would have to check that. It comes in a concentrate form though that is pretty reasonable. You mix a small amount with a gallon of water and mist/spray on everything. I use it as a common insecticide for the house to keep spiders and ants at bay. It looks like it's known to work on lice too though from a quick Google search.

 

[BReeder!]

View attachment 2057833
Thats pretty cool for ducks!

I'm not convinced they will be able to get their nostrils submerged to rinse them as they need to.

 

[BReeder!]

No, but inthought @breeder and @cavemanrich would like to see them.

Just get the ducks. Come on!
I truly love our ducks. They may have become my favorite type of bird. They have the most personality and are interesting to watch. It's tough though because I really do like the chickens and turkeys. The quail fad has worn off, but they are sticking around until I get you some eggs @Faraday40.

 

[BReeder!]

I've posted several replies. Sorry for taking over the thread.

An original post...
I am going to get out in the run shortly and FINALLY hang the poultry net over the run. I may clean the poop board too. I have to go in the coop to feed the birds and collect eggs anyway. Let's see if I can bare the cold long enough.

 

[homeschoolin momma]

I'm not convinced they will be able to get their nostrils submerged to rinse them as they need to.

The cups were pretty long. I think it would be doable, but of course I would like to see it in action first.