Mites

[Ccort]

I noticed teeny tiny bugs crawling on my phone screen. I've also noticed one of my hen has feather loss around her face and neck, and some scabs. It appears we have mites.

I just read that straw bales attract them, which I didn't know. I have a couple of mostly intact bales in the run which I will toss out. Beyond this, what should I do? I've read a million different things.

 

[nuthatched]

Permethrine based powder or spray. Clean out everything, apply product to coop and birds, get all new bedding and litter.

 

[Ccort]

Permethrine based powder or spray. Clean out everything, apply product to coop and birds, get all new bedding and litter.

That's not dangerous? Can you advise on how much to use and how to use it?

 

[Tookie]

That's not dangerous? Can you advise on how much to use and how to use it?

There's poultry safe permethrin powder, its what I have. I get a bin so I can reuse any powder that falls off and I put the chicken in there, then dust them down. I don't go everywhere, usually around the neck, under wings, and most important around the vent area. Dusting in those spots have worked for me, but it does depends on the severity of the mites.
For the coop just sprinkle it around.

 

[nuthatched]

That's not dangerous? Can you advise on how much to use and how to use it?

No. Directions depends on what you find. Martin's poultry powder is what you'll likely find.

 

[Ccort]

There's poultry safe permethrin powder, its what I have. I get a bin so I can reuse any powder that falls off and I put the chicken in there, then dust them down. I don't go everywhere, usually around the neck, under wings, and most important around the vent area. Dusting in those spots have worked for me, but it does depends on the severity of the mites.
For the coop just sprinkle it around.

Do I need to clean out the whole coop first? Or just add in some permethrin dust?

 

[nuthatched]

Do I need to clean out the whole coop first? Or just add in some permethrin dust?

It's really best to clean it,not that you know the infestation is pretty strong.

 

[Tookie]

Do I need to clean out the whole coop first? Or just add in some permethrin dust?

In my opinion, I think you should. It will help prevent the mites from coming back.