Mites or Lice?

[2txmedics]

I was checking my chickens...I noticed tiny tiny white specks but they were moving!!! What are they? and how do I get rid of them? what all do I need to doctor in there coop? branches??? run?

 

[Mahonri]

Vaseline their legs. Use Seven dust.

I wash my roosts with chlorox.

 

[threehorses]

Ohh boy, mites. They haven't fed yet. At least you found them! They're VERY hard to catch on the birds as they spend most of the time off the bird in the cracks of the wood.

To treat, you must treat both the bird and the premises or they'll just continue.

For the bird, I do not at all recommend Sevin dust anymore (I used to). Permethrin (Called "poultry dust" or "mite dust" on the packages) is a much more safe alternative without as much environmental impact but with all the power of the powder. You will treat all birds with the dust, paying particular attention under their wings, around their vent, on the back of their necks.

You will use the same powder on the ground under their bedding; scrape their bedding away and dust the ground. Rake the bedding back into place, dust it, stir in.

Now the important part: the coop. You must treat the cracks and crevices of the wood, and up to 3' on the bottom of the walls. One way is to make a 'paint' out of poultry dust and water or poultry dust and mineral oil or even glycerin. Make a thin paint and literally paint it onto the wood, being sure to dribble between joints and cracks. That way the eggs, when they hatch, will be exposed to the permethrin.

You will retreat the birds every 7 days until the mites are gone, and just recheck the walls to see if they need more.

Alternately to just the dust on the poultry (recommended even if you do this additional step) you could use ivermectin on the birds as well as the dust. Mites take blood. The ivermectin in the blood will continue killing them for 2 weeks to possibly 28 days. That way when they do finally come out to feast, they die. You will end the cycle more quickly that way.

I personally like pour-on ivermectin as it's just 1-7 drops on the bird's back (in a naked skin spot) once. Others use injectable orally but i hate giving birds oral meds. While you have each one up, make it your semi-annual exam time!

Check their weight, listen to their breathing, look at their vents, just make sure everyone's good.
If you use ivermectin pour-on, it's the blue liquid for cattle. I buy the smallest generic container ... 250ml for $14. You drop it on the bird. Email me or ask here if you want more info on that. It will also worm your birds!

So summary:

You must treat the bird and the premises completely.
Treat the birds with dust or with dust AND ivermectin. repeat every 7 days until no longer needed.
Treat the premises by painting the permethrin into the wood on joints, and 3' up on walls. One time and then repeat with your usual cleaning.
Treat the bedding. One time and then repeat with your usual cleaning.

Congrats on having a great eye!! You did what so many people can't seem to do - catch those sneaky and devestating little suckers!