Mite Prevention in small coop

[thistlecreek]

I've got a small portable coop +run and 7 hens. We have tons of wild birds that fly over our yard and visit our gardens and I am worried about them introducing mites & lice. We currently have sand in the coop and I was wondering what the best ways to PREVENT mite problems is. I'm not familiar with how DE works, but is that something I can mix into the sand and sprinkle in the bottom of the nesting boxes? Is there some sort of spray I could use on the inside of the coop? terrified that I'll end up with the red mite. Any ideas are welcome! Thank you!

 

[Cam-n-Sara]

Although we are new to this chicken thing

we have been using the food grade DE from the beginning and have had zero bug issues. You can spread it in the bedding and in the nest boxes with no side effects to the birds. It works itself into all the dark little cracks and crevices that the bugs like to hide in and it basically dehydrates the bug/worm/spider creatures. I do not use sprays or chemicals around my birds at all so I know nothing about chemical preventatives inside the coop. The only difference between the food grade and non-food grade DE is that they prepare it slightly differently and ensure that the food grade has no other trace elements or contaminates prior to packaging. I use the food grade in stored grains and the garden too so one purchase covers all of my uses. DE is usually fairly inexpensive (7-8 dollars for a three pound bag) and lasts for a looooong time. Peace and good luck to you.

-Cam-n-sara

 

[thistlecreek]

How much do I put into the coop? should it compose 10% of the sand or more? Do I have to worry about respiratory problems? Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Folly's place]

I apply permethrin dust to the coop floor before adding new bedding, and sprinkle some under the bedding in the nest boxes too. Parasites will turn up sometime, unless your birds are locked in always. Mine free range, so I check them over fairly often, and use Ivermectin if needed. Dust of any sort isn't good to breathe; I got in trouble myself a few years ago dusting the birds without a really good dust mask; NEVER AGAIN! If you want to be strictly organic, it's harder. Mary