Logistics of spraying chickens with permethrin

[citychicks99]

I went away for the long weekend and when I came back one of my hens were broody. I picked her up off the nesting box and lo and behold, she left a bunch of mites on my arm.

I'm planning on spraying the chickens and the coop tomorrow morning but I'm struggling to figure out the logistics. They're very flighty birds so it will be nearly impossible for me to catch them when they're awake. I think I can only spray them before dawn when they're still roosting.

I'm planning on spraying them when they're roosting, spray the yard, let them out, then spray their coop. Would this be ineffective against the mites since the chickens would still be there? I just don't have anywhere else to store them while I spray their coop. I dusted their roost tonight with some permethrin powder though.

 

[DobieLover]

Whenever I have to handle the entire flock and make sure everybody gets treated I do it at night wearing a headlamp to keep both hands free. They can't run because they can't see.

Your plan above sounds reasonable with the exception that you didn't mention completely cleaning out your coop and destroying all the bedding before spraying it. And you should include a thorough vacuum session with a Shop-Vac in addition to removing all the bedding. Then put down fresh bedding after everything thing has dried from the thorough spraying. Treatment of the birds and coop will all need to be repeated in 7 to 10 days.

 

[thecatumbrella]

If your birds are really hard to handle and you don't have anyone to help out, you might want to look into Elector PSP. It's expensive, but you only use small amounts at a time diluted in water. The birds just need to be dunked (not the head, and you might have to hold them in there for a little bit). Seems easier than trying to manipulate each one to get them coated in spray or powder. It's also a one and done treatment.