Mites help!!

[HippieAtHeart]

I personally don't. I change all bedding when I first discover the bugs. Spray every nook, cranny and crevice, then put fresh bedding down. I will spray and turn over the bedding every 7 days after that.

Any leftover lice/mites will find the birds and they die when I treat the birds.

Thank you so much for your guidance, I’m about to go outside and do this. Do you spray your chickens at night or just catch them during the day?

 

[Painted Calls]

Thank you so much for your guidance, I’m about to go outside and do this. Do you spray your chickens at night or just catch them during the day?

You're welcome.

My chickens are very easily handled, so I usually do it during the day. Catching mine only requires bending over and picking them up.

If your chickens are more on the skittish side, it is best to go out at night with a headlamp.

 

[HippieAtHeart]

You're welcome.

My chickens are very easily handled, so I usually do it during the day. Catching mine only requires bending over and picking them up.

If your chickens are more on the skittish side, it is best to go out at night with a headlamp.

So I was successful at catching them, I got my rooster first and then put him outside to free range while I got the other girls. He was pacing all around the coop but at least I wasn’t worried about him while I got them. Worst part is I closed off the coop while it’s drying and one of them is pacing around, I think she might have to lay. I held off until afternoon for that reason. Good thing is it’s almost dry as it’s been a nice day so hopefully soon I’ll re bed it and then open it back up to them.
Thanks again for all your help, I was feeling a little lost!

 

[Painted Calls]

So I was successful at catching them, I got my rooster first and then put him outside to free range while I got the other girls. He was pacing all around the coop but at least I wasn’t worried about him while I got them. Worst part is I closed off the coop while it’s drying and one of them is pacing around, I think she might have to lay. I held off until afternoon for that reason. Good thing is it’s almost dry as it’s been a nice day so hopefully soon I’ll re bed it and then open it back up to them.
Thanks again for all your help, I was feeling a little lost!

Don't lose hope! Just stay on top of it every 7 days. It's not easy or quick, but you'll get there!

 

[cmom]

I have posted this previously. I had some birds that were severely infested. I thought they were just molting but weren't getting their feathers back in when I discovered they had mites. The first thing I tried was DE. The birds weren't improving and still had mites. I first discovered them in only one coop but eventually found them on birds in another coop. I dusted the birds and the coops with the DE and no improvement. I did use some sevin dust that I had but it was almost gone but it did help. I did some research and came up with permethrin, which is the pyrethrum on steroids. It lasts longer than pyrethrum. Wild birds can bring the mites and other pests in if they have access to their coop. If you are able to get some spray or dust, I used the dust on the birds and in their nest boxes and sprayed inside of the coops, every crack and crevice, on and under the roosts, ceiling, walls, floors, anywhere the mites can hide. Wear special clothing including a mask and gloves. I did a weekly spraying for awhile and put permethrin dust in the nest boxes, originally sprayed the birds getting under the wings and worked it through their feathers with gloves which you can also do with the dust. Slowly the birds began to recover and get their feathers back in. I think if I hadn't treated with the permethrin when I did I probably would have lost some birds to the mites. The birds were in bad condition. I did originally bathe the worst birds with flea shampoo which did help but did not get rid of the mites but then discovered that the over the counter (OTC) head lice shampoo for people. Every over-the-counter (OTC) treatment of head lice contains either pyrethrins (Rid or Triple X) or permethrin (Nix). Both are effective treatment. Both only kill live pests, not eggs. Good luck...

 

[tannsyim]

Thanks! I sprayed the coop/ nest boxes with a water, oil and dish soap solution which I read helps smother out the mites. I pulled out the floor of the coop and cleaned that really well and sprayed with the solution and then dusted everything in the coop, all the cracks and crevices really well with DE.

I wanted to try to get my hands on some permetherin because I've heard this works really well for treating mites, but I i'm in Canada and it is very very difficult to find anywhere, I don't think it is legal to sell it here and really hard to have it shipped from the states for some reason (could just be the current border situation?). So permethrin is unfortunately not an option!

Hi there. I know this is an old thread but I’m in Canada too and just recently discovered my silkie has either lice or mite. I’m curious as to what product you found in Canada that works well. Luckily she’s in quarantine as we just brought her home so we aren’t worried about the rest of the flock or anything just the one. Thanks!