Mites!

[DressageRider]

I don’t even know what else to try to get rid of these things. We have been treating diligently for probably a month now. We are moving in a month or so and I refuse to take them with us!

So far we have tried diatameceous earth, permethrin powder and spray, garlic in food, water and nesting boxes...cleaning coop and hosing. I dust or spray them and coop/run every night. I’ve bathed them twice now, all 19! I’m going crazy. Please give me ideas.

 

[azygous]

The most effective pesticide for mite control is Elector PSP. It's pricey but highly effective and highly concentrated so a little goes a long way and leaves a long lasting residue as long as the sun doesn't shine on it. It's an organic biological control and perfectly safe for chickens. Amazon has it.

Are you also treating the coop? Mites hide in crevices and you need to spray deeply into all their hiding places.

 

[Folly's place]

Permethrin spray concentrate, mixed correctly and sprayed all over in the coop and on each bird, will work fine. It may need a second application is ten days or so.
Spinosad also works well, but is much more expensive and difficult to find except online.
DE, garlic, and other such stuff won't be effective and wastes time and money.
Wild birds bring the mites and lice to our flocks, and re-infect them at will. It's a royal pain, and I'm dealing with this situation right now too. UGH!!!
Mary

 

[DressageRider]

The most effective pesticide for mite control is Elector PSP. It's pricey but highly effective and highly concentrated so a little goes a long way and leaves a long lasting residue as long as the sun doesn't shine on it. It's an organic biological control and perfectly safe for chickens. Amazon has it.

Are you also treating the coop? Mites hide in crevices and you need to spray deeply into all their hiding places.

Thanks, I will give it a try. I am treating the coop as well. I’ve stripped it a few times, hosed it and soaked it in permethrin. And have been spraying it regularly between.

 

[rebrascora]

It is important to understand where the mites like to live and breed in order to target them effectively. The dark underside of surfaces, cracks and crevices near to roost bars and nesting boxes..... underneath the ends of roost bars are common places.... if you have removable roost bars lift them out and look in the socket. Dark areas where they can easily hide and then crawl onto chickens when they come to roost or lay eggs. Broody hens provide a 24/7 banqueting opportunity for them and usually cause their population to boom, so it is particularly important to dust broody hens nests before you set eggs and I usually give them another once or twice during the incubation process to keep on top of things.
It may be that the construction of your coop is responsible for the continued problem. I have one of those little prefabricated ones that the roof is lined with thin plywood inside. The ply is starting to delaminate and that is providing perfect breeding area for the mites but proving difficult to get products into the lamination gaps, particularly as they are on the underside of the roof. If it is any consolation there are many of us battling these pests.