Mites, roaches, random bugs despite a ton of DE everywhere.

[Angelight]

You know those people who seem to be plagued by Murphy's Law? Apparently, I got a good dose of whatever that crap is. My chickens are BABIED. I do everything I read that I can do as far as natural things to keep them healthy, happy, etc. Yet, since spring arrived, it has been one thing after another! UGH!

My chickens have cost me much more than I would have spent on local organic, pastured eggs in a year and I haven't had an egg yet! I found a myriad of bugs congregating around the spilled feed today. Where were the girls? Outside of the coop, not eating these bugs that were attracted to their mess, of course. I'm getting discouraged. Backyard chickens are supposed to be a good idea and yet this is suddenly getting very overwhelming.

I put Nu-stock (or coconut oil, olive oil, etc.) on my girls' feet and legs once every other week or so just to keep SLM away because we have so much wildlife. I'd rather use it and prevent it. I give them raw pumpkin seeds (use my processor to break them up) with DE and garlic powder in their feed for worms. They have DE tossed around their coop at least twice a week, PLUS I dust them with it once a week. Just in case. Their water has organic apple cider vinegar and garlic in it. I spray them down once a week with Fresh Eggs Daily's garlic juice spray to keep mites and other bugs away. I use their dawn and olive oil spray here and there on the roosts just in case there are mites.

YET THERE WERE MITES AND BUGS TODAY! IN THE COOP!

Since DE isn't doing its job, I just have to go do Seven dust, spray, etc. So upsetting!

 

[welasharon]

I too found DE did not work for me. Sorry. I use seven dust carefully. I worry about bees. I have used pour on ivomec and once Adams spray.

 

[FenikT]

IMO, there is a total over-marketing of what DE can cure, prevent, etc.

In short, its a reasonable feed supplement, something for the birds to dust bathe in, and helps to desiccate droppings in the coop/roost area. Beyond that, it doesn't do squat to scare away ants, roaches, mites, fleas, or prevent worms.

Quit wasting 30$ a bag for DE. Your $ is better spent elsewhere, such as treating the cracks/crevices in your coop and birds w/ PyGanic Dust (EverGreen Pyrethrum Dust). Pyrethrum is organic (made from mums).

Re-tool your feed system. If you have bugs congregating, look into feeding only what your birds can eat in a day and suspend it w/ a hanging feeder. Sure its more work, but less worry.

You may want to look into using Carmex (or something w/ camphor) on the girl's legs and waddles to prevent/repel mites, chiggers, etc. The occasional olive oil treatment probably isn't bad, but any oil has a tendency to spoil over time. Again, just my opinion and what has worked on my end.

 

[chfite]

I would prevent the spilled feed. Your chickens may be billing it out of your feeder, so changing to a feeder that prevents that will help. It sounds like it is a common occurrence attracting the pests.

DE is like many other things. It has a purpose, but is not a cure all.

I don't do anything at my coop. The chickens get DE in their feed and I clean the turned litter periodically.

I keep them fed and watered. They spend most of the day foraging in the yard.

Chris

 

[Ballerina Bird]

You know those people who seem to be plagued by Murphy's Law? Apparently, I got a good dose of whatever that crap is. My chickens are BABIED. I do everything I read that I can do as far as natural things to keep them healthy, happy, etc. Yet, since spring arrived, it has been one thing after another! UGH!

My chickens have cost me much more than I would have spent on local organic, pastured eggs in a year and I haven't had an egg yet! I found a myriad of bugs congregating around the spilled feed today. Where were the girls? Outside of the coop, not eating these bugs that were attracted to their mess, of course. I'm getting discouraged. Backyard chickens are supposed to be a good idea and yet this is suddenly getting very overwhelming.

I put Nu-stock (or coconut oil, olive oil, etc.) on my girls' feet and legs once every other week or so just to keep SLM away because we have so much wildlife. I'd rather use it and prevent it. I give them raw pumpkin seeds (use my processor to break them up) with DE and garlic powder in their feed for worms. They have DE tossed around their coop at least twice a week, PLUS I dust them with it once a week. Just in case. Their water has organic apple cider vinegar and garlic in it. I spray them down once a week with Fresh Eggs Daily's garlic juice spray to keep mites and other bugs away. I use their dawn and olive oil spray here and there on the roosts just in case there are mites.

YET THERE WERE MITES AND BUGS TODAY! IN THE COOP!

Since DE isn't doing its job, I just have to go do Seven dust, spray, etc. So upsetting!

@Angelight just resurrecting this thread because I have been searching for info on that garlic juice spray. It sounds like it was a bust? Did you think it worked at all or was it a waste of time? Would be very grateful for a reply -- I have had a hard time getting specific info from people about non-chemical remedies. Thank you.