Lice and mites in Ontario, Canada. How do we get rid of them?

[The_Flock]

I agree with Mary. Spray the inside of the coup thoroughly and let it dry. I had a severe infestation of mites last year. I tried different things including DE and it didn't do anything. I had to do something so I used permethrin. The birds were in terrible shape and I thought they were molting but they didn't seem to be getting their feathers back. That is when I discovered the mites. Permethrin doesn't kill the mite eggs so thorough repeat sprays are a must, ceiling, walls, floors, on and under the roosts, nest boxes, any and all cracks and crevices. I initially sprayed the birds, but now and then I dust them and and put some dust in their nest boxes. You may want to spray the birds. I would repeat weekly for awhile. There is no egg withdrawal period. It took awhile, now the birds are beautiful again. Keep the cat out for awhile when you spray until it dries. Good luck...

Thank you for the advice. I so appreciate it.
Unfortunately this time of year is either very wet or too cold for anything to dry. The permethrin is not an option for me, sadly. The cat has nowhere else to stay and the nights right now are -6°. I'm spraying the coop and the remaining chickens on the weekend and will do it again a week later. One of my chickens is really bad so she's inside my house and has been treated already.
I saw the lice run last night when I treated her so I'm looking forward to some improvement in her soon. ❤

 

[Soy Milano]

It depends on the species....here is a good infographic which explains it - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/identifying-common-ectoparasites-of-backyard-poultry

 

[legojenn]

I can see Ontario from my back porch. Please tell me this isn't a province-wide thing.

 

[The_Flock]

It depends on the species....here is a good infographic which explains it - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/identifying-common-ectoparasites-of-backyard-poultry

Thank you. I'm sure my guys have poultry lice and scaly leg mites. I'm so happy you sent me this link because the one girl I rescued is in the worst shape and she came to me with a clipped beak. The article says not to clip the beaks (which I've been seeing hers grow a bit since I got her) because then they can't groom themselves properly. So this is why she's in the worst shape. She's very anemic too. I can't wait for her to get better.

 

[The_Flock]

I can see Ontario from my back porch. Please tell me this isn't a province-wide thing.

What do you mean? Mites and lice?