Mites question

[morganluxy]

I know there are many threads on this topic, but honestly, being new to the chicken world, it's overwhelming to read through all of them.

We moved to a small farm that came with chickens. It appears to me that the previous owners did not take good care of them. I have lost several the last six months and I could never figure out why. Well, now it's obvious to me that it's mites! They are free range. We provide dust bath areas with natural wood ash and DE, but it's such an open area they don't always bathe in that particular area. I have been cleaning their coops weekly (they just go in to roost at night), and have been dusting their nesting boxes too.

I tried to catch them to dust with DE, but this is very difficult to do and takes several weeks. Anyone have a faster, more effective solution. I am thinking we may have an infestation at this point!

Thanks so much!

 

[PatrickRoo]

Have you tried spraying them with mite and lice spray?

 

[morganluxy]

Have you tried spraying them with mite and lice spray?

No...how effective of this and is there a brand you would recommend?

 

[PatrickRoo]

No...how effective of this and is there a brand you would recommend?

I would recommend Manna Pro Poultry Protector. I'm reading lots of good reviews about it. It says to remove all bedding in the coop and to spray the whole coop a fine mist. (Also, spray the surrounding grounds.) Then, you place fresh bedding before introducing the birds into the sprayed coop. Repeat this process periodically to maintain appropriate cleanliness. You can also spray this onto the birds as often as desired, and it says to avoid spraying them in the eyes. Make sure to thoroughly coat the birds feathers. You can buy Poultry Protector at Tractor Supply, Rural King, or online at Amazon.com

 

[aart]

You'll need to figure out if the mites are the type that live in the coop structure and only come out at night to feed, then you'll have to treat the coop itself as well as the birds.

Revealing your climate, by putting your location in your profile,
can help garner better answers/suggestions.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

If you do find some...check out this thread:

http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134783/permethrin-spray