Mites/odd behaviour

[Sarahjayne]

Hi.. One... Sorry I never come on here & when I did last it was with a question... Bad participation.

But.. I am really worried & could do with some advice.

Last night I got home late & noticed 4 of my 11 girls were roosting outside the coop,,, which is odd. So I put them in the house, which I realised was crawling In mites! Literally everywhere! We treat them occasionally & never realised we had a problem.., we have had them coming up a year. Today has been bad storms... awful hail stones & was at a wedding. But tomorrow I will completely clean the coop, every nook & crannie & then de earth it & paragon & red mite (altho no sign of red mite) just now 3 chicken were once again roosting outside when should of been in bed... Picked a chicken up & an egg dropped out of her!

Is this just down to a serious mite problem? Or is there something else? No sign of a Any rats etc, i am in the UK so no snakes etc...

& any tips other than paragon & DE earth?? Feel awful & worried.

Thanks in advance xx

 

[Sarahjayne]

Ps... I did throw some mite stuff in there tonight

 

[iwiw60]

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html


Mite infestations are difficult to deal with...wishing you all the best and keep us updated when you can!

 

[WeBeCluckin]

Hi Sarah, I happened across someone else's post in emergencies/diseases titled "MIRACLE WAY TO KILL MITES." Sorry, I'd include the link but I don't know how to yet! I haven't personally tried it yet but will should I need to. I know dish soap and water in a spray bottle made short work of yellow jackets for us this year. And the nice thing is, you can breath while you're spraying!

 

[6LittleHens]

I use poultry protector. I buy the concentrate online and mix 2 oz. in with a 32 oz. sprayer. I haven't ever had a mite problem.

P.S. You spray it on them and around their living areas. Do you let them free range?

 

[Sarahjayne]

Thank you guys. I will look at post...
They have a coop & large run then free range 2 hours a night , when I'm home from work then take themselves to bed. So worried, they have laid less eggs in last few days xx

 

[6LittleHens]

They could have gotten mites from other birds in and around your yard.

 

[Sarahjayne]

I gave it a huge clean today! There were so many mites, we have had really got weather lately, when I cleaned them a week ago I didn't notice one! I'm so shocked!
Yes we have alot of wild birds come & dust bath in the dust the chickens make, probably not helpful.
I'm going to keep on top if it & fingers crossed can get it down to minimal, I know it's so hard with red mite to get rid of x

 

[6LittleHens]

You can also make your chickens their own personal dust bathing area! Mine love theirs!!! I also spray that with poultry protector too. It keeps the birds out!!!