Mites/lice...I need help!

[threehorses]

They might have been in the new shavings, or they might have just hatched from the ground. Yuck.

Oh yeah I forgot - when I replace shavings, that's when I put sevin down - on the ground before I put the shavings down.

Grrr now I'm itching. lol

 

[chubbydog811]

Thanks for all the info!
I ended up just using the DE. Im not a big fan of using chemicals, especially since we sell our eggs. A lot of our customers would be very upset to hear that we used chemicals on our chickens, and that they are getting a product that was treated like that.

I did a lot of research on it...Either using chemicals, or all natural, both have the same effect : they both kill the bugs on the chicken. The only difference, is that DE isnt harmful (and doesnt contain chemicals), and you can still feel safe about eating the eggs after.

Yes, I could see it causing respiratory problems, BUT not if you do it in a well ventilated area (outside), and give the coop time to settle before you lock the chickens in.
I found that the dust settled with in 10 minutes, though our coops are very well ventilated.

Anyway, That website was very helpful. It gave us some info that helped us branch off and find the answers I was looking for.

Also, Is it more likely the chickens will get lice/mites living on a dirt floor than say a plywood or other solid floor?

Our old coops have dirt floors - we are replacing them this summer with a nicer design that is raised off the ground, but are there more problems with dirt floors than a solid wood floor?

 

[threehorses]

I'm not sure. Perhaps the sights you found will tell you.

Good luck!

 

[onthespot]

Holy Moly. That martin site says that bird nest mites can survive a 36 week period of starvation when they migrate down to Brazil!!!

 

[threehorses]

Isn't that a crazy site?

And honestly - it's applicable. Poultry owners know that wild birds often bring these little critters into our barns. Some people rid their barns of the other birds. I'm a big wimp and don't. /blush

But the pictures, I thought, were the best I've ever seen. I might just go ahead and post my tinyurl on the main board for others who might need it.

 

[hillerfamily]

I know its not mites mites are brown or red so its not it.Theres a possible chance it could be lice :/sevin dust goes on every thing the ground where they sleep on there dust batheing area and on them but you do have to pick the chicken up by its feet and dust there vent area.

but i guess it works!

 

[Judy]

Quote:
I doubt very much there has been any research on this. At any rate, chickens are going to get lice and mites, just as they are going to get worms. It's a matter of how heavy the load is. Both my coops have dirt floors, as most in this area do. I use DE, and once had to dust my year olds for lice/mites. I used "poultry dust," which is permethrin/pyrethrin powder.

 

[wionna1202]

!!!!!

We just got 2 new hens to add to our flock today. They have been with our flock for a day. I put Duramycin in the water thinking just in case. I was so DUMB being a newbie and thinking everyone takes as good care as I do. I should have checked the chickens before I brought them home. Now I am cleaning coops, dusting birds, and beds tomorrow.

I dusted the 2 new birds with Seven. I just luckly had a little left over from my garden ( My grandmother used it for everything so I guess it safe enough for me too. She lived till she was 98). I have to go get more in the morning. I dont want an infestation.

 

[annek]

Make sure it is seven 5% and not higher like is sometimes used in the garden.