Is 100% prevention possible?

[casportpony]

Well, Like with all things, it won't work for everybody.

Not true I think permethrin will kill all poultry lice for 100% of the people that use it correctly.

 

[Kiki]

DE doesn't work for getting rid of mites and or lice.
Pretty much the only people that claim it works have used in it combination with something else...like Sevin or something and that Sevin or "something" is what worked.
Not the DE.

 

[Kiki]

I have ordered food grade DE and permethrin to have ready. I'll be sure to add the DE to their dust bathing area. I'll also give everything a good dusting before they go in. Is dusting and spraying ahead of time overkill? Thanks for the suggestions! An old tire would be perfect. I'm sure the hubby can hunt one down somewhere. Our large run will be covered, but no guarantees it couldn't get damp. Would it be better to have the dust bath in the coop or no? Or one in each area?

You don't want DE in your coop period.
And you for sure don't want your chickens dust bathing in it...stirring it up and breathing it in.
Think about what it is going to do to their lungs.

 

[Kiki]

I don't know anybody who hadn't had to deal with them. But it's not a problem so long as it doesn't get out of control. Good husbandry will go along way to help minimise them.

I'm raising my hand here.
In the years I have been chicken keeping I have NOT dealt with lice and or mites of any kind.

 

[casportpony]

I'm raising my hand here.
In the years I have been chicken keeping I have NOT dealt with lice and or mites of any kind.

Lucky you!

 

[CCUK]

I'm raising my hand here.
In the years I have been chicken keeping I have NOT dealt with lice and or mites of any kind.

Don't temp fate!

 

[Kiki]

Lucky you!

I was born lucky.

 

[casportpony]

I was born lucky.

 

[Akrnaf2]

I've read all about providing dust bathing areas to help prevent mites, fleas, etc. My question is, is it possible to prevent them completely? I mean, is it something that I will more than likely be dealing with as a chicken keeper at some point no matter what precautions are taken? I just want to do anything I can to avoid it, if possible. The girls will be heading out to the coop in a few days and it's my first time at all of this. I just want to do everything I can to ensure that tiny pests won't be a problem. The big pests are covered because this sucker is like Fort Knox. It's the little ones I'm worried about now. I'm stressed out just thinking about it... the thought of mite/flea infested chickens sounds awful.

No you can't.

 

[Cluckcluck1215]

Well, Everybody has there own opinions. I have mine. I've been using DE for 8+ years in my chickens dust baths, never had a problem.