Ivermectin/Sevin failure---how soon until I can try moxidectin???

[smooch177]

Hoping someone can help me with this question fast!

I've got a few hens that have symptoms of mites, initially scratching, restless, just not looking too great, and I've noticed some scaliness to their faces lately along with a few feathers lost. I treated the entire flock with topical ivermectin 2 weeks ago, cleaned everything, etc....

Initially things seemed to improve, but about a week ago, symptoms are back. This time I'm seeing it in a few more chickens. I repeated the ivermectin, dusted them with sevin and deep cleaned once again.

Now at week 3, it seems worse than ever. The feather loss in a couple of them is so rapid it's alarming. I've been researching my next step, and I'd like to try moxidectin this time (I purchased the liquid topical version) and want to treat as soon as possible. I don't want to OD my girls with all of these drugs but I'm really worried that these bugs are eating them alive

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Kiki]

Did you spray your coop real well?

 

[Pyxis]

Have you been treating the coop along with the birds? Treating the birds is not enough, you need to clean out and dust the coop too, or the birds are just going to keep getting re-infested from the coop.

 

[junebuggena]

If you don't want to go the harsh chemical route, pyrethrins are natural, completely harmless to chickens and humans, and extremely effective. Are you sure that the feather loss is mite related and not molting?

 

[smooch177]

I did, I sprayed with Gordon's Permethrin 10 and dusted with Sevin.
The only thing I haven't done is "treat the premises". I've just never known how to tackle that one with free ranging chickens.

 

[casportpony]

I did, I sprayed with Gordon's Permethrin 10 and dusted with Sevin.
The only thing I haven't done is "treat the premises". I've just never known how to tackle that one with free ranging chickens.

Mites are resistant to carbaryl (Sevin), so try the 10% permethrin first.

 

[smooch177]

Thanks Kathy, that's great to know. I personally hate that dusting process anyway (and I think they would agree)

I'll definitely plan on doing another round of permethrin. I'm just debating on what to treat them with. I think I've even seen somewhere that some people spray their chickens with the permethrin??

 

[casportpony]

If you do decide to use the pour on Moxidectin, the dose for the 5 mg/ml stuff is 0.5 mg/kg, which is 0.045 ml per pound (five pound hen gets 0.227 ml).

 

[casportpony]

Thanks Kathy, that's great to know. I personally hate that dusting process anyway (and I think they would agree)

I'll definitely plan on doing another round of permethrin. I'm just debating on what to treat them with. I think I've even seen somewhere that some people spray their chickens with the permethrin??

I've been using the spray on healthy birds. If I have one that looks a little depressed it gets dusted.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

I had lice last year. I dusted bird butts and coop with sevin. Then more birds had them. Tried VCO...yep greasy looking birds with live.
I bit the bullet and bought Elector PSP. Treated all the birds and the coop. It wasn't cheap but I never had to do it again. If I did I have enough Elector PSP for about 60 more treatments.
You want some? LOL