Mites/lice again. AAAGHHH

[trudyg]

When I treat, I treat the entire coop structure and all the birds at the same time. I plan to continue the permethrin spray (I get it to the skin and cover butt, armpits, belly and back). I have sprayed the structure with permethrin, thinking that it had residual effect for several months, but will add oil to the mix and re-spray with special attention to cracks and joints. I pulled back bedding yesterday and didn't see any bugs under, lifted the roost poles and didn't see any bugs, emptied the (plastic) nest boxes and didn't see any bugs in any of that. There is bare floor under the nest boxes and it is clear but I had put sevin there (the birds can't get to that spot, nest boxes are only an inch above the floor). I have neem that I could also spray into the joints/cracks. I agree with Mary, I probably shouldn't add anything more but continue what I've been doing. I just really really didn't want to clear out all that brand new bedding material.

 

[aart]

I agree with Mary, I probably shouldn't add anything more but continue what I've been doing.

I wouldn't spray anything more unless you know there are bugs present.
Over application of any treatment can cause resistance to the chemical used.

 

[trudyg]

I checked the roosts, rubbing the underside with a paper towel, and found no blood. Not unexpected, since I was out day before yesterday and sprinkled sevin in the cracks & crevices. Just now, dark early, I went out and looked at each bird. Saw no bugs on faces or vent area but gave a spritz of permethrin spray anyway. I didn't do anything more than a spritz on their legs (for scaly leg mite) since I need to get ready to leave for work and that would take more time. Will do that early tomorrow morning. Anyway, new development is that several of them now have feathers broken off. Some around the neck/shoulders which could be the rooster's fault but 2 also have broken feathers around their butts. That could also be the rooster, I guess, but those broken feathers were not there the day before yesterday in the evening. I had the grandkids last night when I got home from work, so the birds got less attention than usual. I try to watch them for 15 minutes or so every morning/evening but didn't yesterday at all just a quick carry out raw veg's and leftover fish from dinner. They are all on feather fixer feed w/ calcium in a side dish and out in the yard all day to eat/scratch as they like. Will keep this routine up with going to look at them in the dark, I think we would all benefit from them getting more accustomed to being handled.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I checked the roosts, rubbing the underside with a paper towel, and found no blood.his routine up with going to look at them in the dark,.....

The routine of checking for red mites after dark is because red mites usually only come out after Sundown. Red mites a.k.a. roost mites are the Count Dracula of the mite world. They keep hidden deep inside the structure of the coop during the day then venture out after dark to suck chicken blood.

The blood that you'll find comes out of the digestive tracks of squashed mites.

Mix the Permethrin into which ever kind of oil you use then paint or daub it on with a brush.

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The purpose of the old motor oil is to render the red mites' strongholds unfit for mites or for a mite nursery resulting in fewer applications of Permethrin.