Mites?

[Three Little Bunnies]

Hi!

I noticed some dry skin in the feathers and on the legs of one of my eight-week-old chicks. I suspected mites, and I dusted the entire coop and the chicks. I figured, better safe than sorry! Is it actually mites?

 

[AgnesGray]

Do you have pictures?

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

Do you have pictures?

Not currently, but I might be able to get some.

 

[aart]

I figured, better safe than sorry!

Not really.
Using pesticides willy-nilly like that can create resistance then they won't work if you really need them.

Do you have pictures?

Yes, this^^^..... please.

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

Not really.
Using pesticides willy-nilly like that can create resistance then they won't work if you really need them.

I used diatomaceous earth, not pesticides, although I suppose DE could be considered a pesticide.

 

[aart]

I used diatomaceous earth, not pesticides, although I suppose DE could be considered a pesticide.

DE is pretty harmless to most bugs,
it's not good for any breathing beings lungs tho.

Still, best to fully diagnosis a problem before treating with anything.

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

DE is pretty harmless to most bugs,
it's not good for any breathing beings lungs tho.

Still, best to fully diagnosis a problem before treating with anything.

Really? All my research says that DE is great for bug-killing.

 

[aart]

Really? All my research says that DE is great for bug-killing.

Yep you'll read that in many places, doesn't make it true.
Have read too many stories about serious infestations of mites and lice after the keeper used 'DE faithfully' as a preventative.

 

[It was the bantam]

I used to get red mites and tried all the remedies from my local agri store.I tried mite powders and DE with little success. So i sat down and had a logical think about how poultry keepers kept their animal closures disinfected before all these snake oil products came on the market.I The answer was so simple,they used hydrated lime.have been dusting my hen coops with hydrated lime for the past 5 years now and haven't had a single infestation in all that time.My theory is that the lime dries out the mites resulting in their death.
Obviously as hydrated lime can be caustic you will not apply it directly on to a bird.Just scatter it on the floor of your coop and in to all crevices where mites like to hide.

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

I used to get red mites and tried all the remedies from my local agri store.I tried mite powders and DE with little success. So i sat down and had a logical think about how poultry keepers kept their animal closures disinfected before all these snake oil products came on the market.I The answer was so simple,they used hydrated lime.have been dusting my hen coops with hydrated lime for the past 5 years now and haven't had a single infestation in all that time.My theory is that the lime dries out the mites resulting in their death.
Obviously as hydrated lime can be caustic you will not apply it directly on to a bird.Just scatter it on the floor of your coop and in to all crevices where mites like to hide.

Thanks! Where do you get this?