Mites

[edamaske]

So I have set up "Dusting" boxes with sand, ashes, and poultry dust. My wild free range peafowl will not use them. We have alot of sandy area's in the backyard area that I do see them dusting in but the mites are bad. I am afraid to treat the ground because they all free rang. Am I over thinking it? Would it be safe to treat the areas I see them dust bath in with Seven? Or do I need to be concerned with them eating it? Is there anything else I can try. I can not get to close to them they are pretty wild, these are inherited peafowl, I am still learning about them so any info you can give me would be great!

 

[SassyMustang198]

you can put down DE in all the dusting areas.. it kills all bugs and the best part is totally safe and won't hurt the birds or any other animal as long as its not a bug..

 

[edamaske]

Am sorry, what is DE?

 

[KsKingBee]

I think that it would be fairly unusual that a free ranging bird would have mites as they have dusting bath areas available to them all the time.

 

[edamaske]

I'm pretty sure it's mites, they are shaking their heads, scratching and their feathers looked awful this year. The previous owner didn't care for them very well, I am still learning and trying to improve their health, we lost one a few months ago and he was covered in mites,that's when I tryed making dusting areas with the poultry dust and ashes. They just are not using them, I think I need to treat the ground spots that I see them using not the bins I made for them. But I was concerned with them eating it.

 

[SassyMustang198]

Am sorry, what is DE?

DE is short for Demetrius Earth..

here is the website you can buy it from.. always buy food grade!!!

https://www.diatomaceousearth.com

 

[edamaske]

DE is short for Demetrius Earth.. 

here is the website you can buy it from.. always buy food grade!!!  

https://www.diatomaceousearth.com

Thank you!

 

[ronott1]

Mites live in the coop and come out at night. You need to treat the coop.

 

[ricebabyca]

Mites live in the coop and come out at night. You need to treat the coop.

X2!

 

[ricebabyca]

Peafowl also get lice that for some reason like to live in their ears. Grab a bird and look very closely in their ears... they are quite small, like much smaller than the lice I see on my chickens, so I find putting on reading glasses helps me see them better. Next time I see them on one of mine I will try to get some pictures.