Mite Infestation

[nancylee679]

*Sigh...*

And we have mites. Everywhere. No snow here in Georgia, just some comfortable cooler weather -- perfect for mites.

At first I thought the chickens with ruffled, picked feathers were just getting bullied, but I took a closer look and saw lots of mites around the vent area where the feathers are picked out on several of my birds. I checked the coop and found them there also. This has probably been going on for a while *bangs head on brick wall*

So this is my battle plan after 5 minutes of research. I'm going to try something that has worked for lice (on our family *cringes and blames dingy rental*): listerine mouthwash. Yup. It worked. I'm going to bathe all of my chickens first, soak 'em in a pale of minty mouthwash, then coat their feathers in DE once they're dry. I won't even bother treating the coop; I need a new one anyway. I'll just have to keep the birds contained away from the infested area and then move them to a lonely shed with a new, attached run once I know all them suckers are gone. I may even nuclear bomb that thing first just in case, then let it air out.

So what do y'all think? Does this even sound feasible? I have a currently daytime free-range mixed flock of chickens, ducks, and guinea fowl. The ducks have been recently moved to a separate pen to eat separately and sleep in at night. The guineas are pretty dumb and just perch on top of the chicken run. So far the ducks and guineas are alright, and I'm assuming because the ducks are on the pond most of the day, and the guineas are usually running off to get into trouble and get run over and stuff, so... I'm assuming they'll be alright?

 

[nancylee679]

Try building a dust bath. A mixture of clean play sand and food grade diatomaceous earth. We had so much rain this season I put the sand mixture in the coop and the chickens went to town!! They loved it and no mites!

 

[Kiki]

This is a much better price. Is this it? And is it safe?

View attachment 1677940

This will work.
This is permethrin.

 

[Kiki]

You are dealing with lice.
Get the Gordon's spray and spray EVERYONE.

 

[ecorso]

The poultry dust designed for the purpose works. DE does not. My vet, who specializes in all birds recommended Revolution for lice and mites. Once dose, based on their weight. I have had experience with both. The selamectin, (Revolution), is not approved for use in animals used for food, so if you will be eating your birds, don’t use it. If they are layers or pets, it is a fast, effective solution. No vet will be able to prescribe it for your chickens though. Mine prescribed it for my “rabbits” though , or dogs or cats. It is safe for all of them and the amount you use is the same amount you would use for a dog, cat or rabbit, the same weight as your bird. Still, the poultry dust designed for mites works too. It just takes a thorough application and repeat applications. It doesn’t work on lice, should you ever encounter chicken lice as we did, (ick!)

 

[flygirl1973]

While you can spend $7 on each bottle, maybe your parents can spring for the concentrate in exchange for the eggs eventually and you can make your own spray bottles. We have had great success with this chemical albeit on dogs and have treated our clothes with it to keep ticks off us. It works on all types of pests from what I’ve seen. We sprayed it on a stray dog while in our care and the mites, ticks and fleas all fell off in days. Use gloves to minimize skin contact. More to prevent your own body from breaking down the chemical and possible skin irritation. Below is a fact sheet regarding the chemical itself. Good luck!
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PermGen.html

 

[UluLaté]

Diamond Swan,

I always try natural measures first. Failing that, we use the means available to us.

When we first encountered creepy crawlies on the vents of our chickens last Fall, I tried DE. It was not effective. After a few days of fiddling with that we took the nuclear option and blasted em by dipping my girls in permethrin. They say spray it until the feathers are soaked, but I dipped them in it at the recommended dilution rate.

Problem solved instantly.

Then I doused all areas where they lived using the dilution rate for that....the run, the coop, the laying boxes, the walls, the floors, everything. Just last week we purchased a beautiful Ameraucana rooster. We went to inspect him prior to introducing him to the flock, I found that he was lousy. So he went straight into permethrin.

I read that pharmaceutical companies make a prescription scabies cream with permethrin which is safe for pregnant women. So while I don't like to use these kinds of things normally, it works and if the directions are followed, it seems like it could be a relatively safe product.

BTW I think it will keep animals bug free for many weeks (read the label thoroughly for warnings & to verify), so you can use the same area despite mud hole, I do....The mites don't last long off the bird I do t think. Also, I do not permit my children to help me do this work. I'm beyond childbearing age.

 

[Colvinwe]

I had the same problem last fall, and it does seem overwhelming at first. I used a permethrin spray I found at the feed store. I also use several different herbs in the nest boxes as a deterrent (rosemary, oregano, sage, lavender, and several varieties of mint), plus a few drops of Ivermectin pour-on per bird.

 

[Larry Rose]

*Sigh...*

And we have mites. Everywhere. No snow here in Georgia, just some comfortable cooler weather -- perfect for mites.

At first I thought the chickens with ruffled, picked feathers were just getting bullied, but I took a closer look and saw lots of mites around the vent area where the feathers are picked out on several of my birds. I checked the coop and found them there also. This has probably been going on for a while *bangs head on brick wall*

So this is my battle plan after 5 minutes of research. I'm going to try something that has worked for lice (on our family *cringes and blames dingy rental*): listerine mouthwash. Yup. It worked. I'm going to bathe all of my chickens first, soak 'em in a pale of minty mouthwash, then coat their feathers in DE once they're dry. I won't even bother treating the coop; I need a new one anyway. I'll just have to keep the birds contained away from the infested area and then move them to a lonely shed with a new, attached run once I know all them suckers are gone. I may even nuclear bomb that thing first just in case, then let it air out.

So what do y'all think? Does this even sound feasible? I have a currently daytime free-range mixed flock of chickens, ducks, and guinea fowl. The ducks have been recently moved to a separate pen to eat separately and sleep in at night. The guineas are pretty dumb and just perch on top of the chicken run. So far the ducks and guineas are alright, and I'm assuming because the ducks are on the pond most of the day, and the guineas are usually running off to get into trouble and get run over and stuff, so... I'm assuming they'll be alright?

I am in Southern Tennessee which is also mild temps. At least once a week, just as my Chickens are about to Roost, I spray the Roosts with Apple Cider Vinegar. It penetrates upward into the Birds as they Roost. I also spray the walls and surrounding area's. It works for my Birds, is non Toxic and they seem to like the taste. They try and eat the drops that form on the wood! Can't hurt them any, and I buy it at the dollar Tree.

 

[DiamondSwan]

Thanks, guys. I ordered some Permethrin Citronella Spray like @staceyj recommended and some Poultry Dust which also has Permethrin in it. It should take care of lice too if they have those. My hens aren't laying yet anyway, so I don't have to worry about egg withdrawal.

View attachment 1678602

View attachment 1678612

Thank you everyone for your responses and suggestions!

I quoted the products that I'm going to be using for my birds and coop; both contain permethrin. Wish me luck! I'm definitely going to be making sure that these suckers are gone!