Mites and Lice

[Daniel M Webb]

Hi, I'm new here. I have 5 hens and about a month ago I noticed they had raised scales and I looked in their feathers and they had tiny pink bugs in the feathers, I think it's mites. I was wondering what the best way to get rid of them is and if I need to disinfect their coop also. They are currently in a tractor.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Permethrin-based spray is the number one, top recommended product for use on birds. You can also get a powder version, generally known as "poultry dust." Both should be available at your local TSC, and probably also at Walmart.

Sevin is highly effective, but has just been recently been "dis-recommended" for use on birds due to its toxicity. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is often recommended by organics proponents, but even if you do think it's effective (and most here don't), it's a treatment, not a cure, and only meant to keep a normal population to a dull roar.

And yes, you can disinfect their coop, but I'd rather just put the poultry dust in the bottom of the nesting boxes and mix some with their bedding.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

Hi!

and welcome to BYC

remove all bedding (if possible burn it), spray the coop (roosts, nest boxes, corners EVERYTHING) with permethrin spray

if it is warmish where you are also spray the birds with the permethrin, or you could get some permethrin dust to treat the birds

 

[Eggcessive]

Permethrin spray concentrate is really safe and cost effective, and you can mix up many gallons with either a $10 pint or $20 quart. I use a hand sprayer for chickens and for spraying the coop. I have used a garden sprayer for my coop walls, after removal of the bedding from coop and nests. Treat your roosts as well. Permethrin garden dust is best in cold weather. Lice would be what you are seeing, but you can Google lice and mites in chickens for 10 day intervals, and 7 days for mites to get eggs at least twice. Look for clumps of white to grey eggs at the base of feathers for lice. Mites will leave dark brown specks, and are slow-moving while lice are faster.

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings and welcome to BYC. Nice to finally have you post, though under less than ideal conditions. Sorry you're dealing with this pest issue. It happens, so don't blame yourself (just in case you were).

What you are describing is most likely lice (normally visible, reddish/brownish) as opposed to mites (normally microscopic, translucent). Either way, what has been recommended above is the treatment for both. You need to do ALL birds, not just the one, and you need to re-treat after 7-10 days to get any eggs that hatch. Then monitor to make sure they don't get re-infested several weeks down the road.

I do not however recommend/agree just leaving the bedding. You need to remove the bedding and destroy it and you need to treat the inside of the coop/nest boxes thoroughly before replacing clean bedding. DE (please use food grade only) added to the bedding will help keep bug #'s down, but kills any and all indiscriminately, good and bad.

There's a wealth of info and experience shared here on the site. Please make yourself at home and browse around! Post away when you feel the need. Oh, Please put at least your general location in your profile as it could be important when asking for advice/help. You know, climate and such issues.

 

[chickenMamee]

Hi, I'm new here. I have 5 hens and about a month ago I noticed they had raised scales and I looked in their feathers and they had tiny pink bugs in the feathers, I think it's mites. I was wondering what the best way to get rid of them is and if I need to disinfect their coop also. They are currently in a tractor.

I just went through this! I have a large Orpington rooster that had an infestation of red mites. They were bad! I waited until the chickens went to sleep and then removed them one at a time from coop. I completely doused my rooster in Seven dust and then dusted the entire flock.
That was last night. Today, completely did away with all coop and run bedding. Sprayed down entire coop with Permethrin and add DE to bottom of coop floors before adding new bedding. Needless to say it was a big undertaking for me but I didn't want to take any chances.
Tonight, I'm going to put Ivermectin drops on their backs.
Overkill? Maybe, but I can't have sick chickens.
Good luck.