mites in a coop using deep litter method

[GinaNew York]

I don't have these now, but am setting up a coop with the deep litter method of building up shavings. I've been reading up on mites, and it seems they live in the cracks and crevices and not in the actual straw and bedding (don't know about the lice though). Has anyone used the deep litter method and had to treat for mice and lice? using the sevin or other pest killers would defeat the purpose of the deep litter method wouldn't it? what do you do? I want to be forarmed here.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I sprinkle DE in my pine shavings (DLM), sprinkle it on my roost, in the poop board with PDZ, fill any cracks I can with it & dust my girls with it at least every month as a preventative. I hate bugs!

 

[Ursuline Chick]

ChickNanny13, I have read a few articles about DE and respiratory problems in chickens (and humans). How Long have you been using it, and have your girls had any problems? Always sounded like a good idea to me, just don't know anyone who has used DE for any real time so I could ask questions. We usually have to treat for mites once a year, could be wild birds, we have lots in our are. Thanks in advance.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I've haven't experienced any problems, the DE is food grade & my "Chicken House" is open so there's alot of ventilation. I only have 4 pullets so dusting with Poultry Dust (permethrin) is easy enough. I "sprinkle" with a old garlic salt container, don't douse but IF I ever have a mite/lice problem I've read that peremethrin or pyrethrin spray works. Some, I've read, spray a mist in their coop (at night) when the chickens are on their roosts, spraying chickens & getting the whole coop. Got alot of wild birds too, I sprinkle around the Chicken House area, my brother mixes some with water & spray around his house/plants for bugs (shaking the tank frequently). Leaves a white reside but he swears by it. I sprinkle the perimeter of my house at the base, Hubby hated cause it was white but don't complain now, very if no bug in the house issues.

You could use a mask when dusting, I know some don't like it but "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". I guess alot depends on your set up, I live in Hawaii so my Chicken House is open & I have shower curtains hanging for when it does rain. So my chickens have alot of ventilation. My nest box, is a huge plastic dog house with pine shavings (DE in that too), all works for me.

FORGOT to mention, DE in their dust bath helps too with wood ash from what I've read, unfortunately I don't have any

Others should be peeping their advice....

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Thanks, ChickNanny13, love the simplicity of your coop by the way. Very nice looking and your hens look happy. Also think the shower curtains were a great idea.