Mites: How to handle the dead mites on a sick bird, should she be washed?

[casportpony]

I guess if there are still tons I would try the 5% Sevin dust.

-Kathy

 

[quiche]

Martin's "Viper Insect Dust"

 

[quiche]

Thanks Kathy. What a mess, I'm certainly getting some "experience" from this infestation.

 

[casportpony]

Gotta ask, the one that still has them, has she been removed from the coop, or is she still in the coop? Either way, you also need to treat the coop, perches, nesting boxes, etc.

-Kathy

 

[quiche]

I moved her when she looked sick before I even discovered the mites. She is in our smaller coop that we use for chicks/pullets to transition them. Unfortunately, looks like that coop is headed for the burn pile now.

I did a quick clean out before I dusted the hens, and coated the perches with the powder, etc. Today when my little one naps and the others are at school I'm headed out with the hazmat gear and bleach solution to do a scrub down then I'll re-coat everything with the dust. I'm a little concerned about the coop being damp before they go in tonight but it might be the lesser of the evils.

 

[quiche]

Update: I got in touch with a professor from the MD State extension office poultry dept. this evening. He said to go ahead a re-treat the bird with the Permethrin dust. She is in more danger from the mites than the dust at this point. He also confirmed it would be a fine alternative to dust her with Sevin 5% instead. One more new suggestion that he gave was to make a dust bath for the flock, and the sequestered bird that is 100% DE (not mixed in sand or bedding, etc.). They can naturally do the work to rid themselves of the mites. He said he would give the sick bird a chance to recover after retreating (keeping her in a separate coop) before culling her from the flock. He also said wait for a few warm days then use the power sprayer on the coop, the bleach solution and dust is likely not sufficient to rid the coop of mites.

Thanks to all for the feedback.

 

[enola]

I would have a huge problem with the professor's advice on using 100% DE in a dust bath. DE should not be inhaled, and for the life of me, I don't know how a hen could dust in a dust bath without inhaling the powder. .....just saying......