Mites

[sarahconnor]

I am battling an infestation of mites in my flock. I have a goose 4 ducks, two roosters and five hens.
I’m handling spraying the birds, but the chicken coop is the problem. I follow up check after I spray them and they’re completely gone but then 10 days or so later they’re back. My chicken coop is very old and there’s boards in there instead of roosts. Part of the ceiling is out and the insulation is exposed. I cleaned the heck out of the henhouse and sprayed as much as I could possibly spray I plan on ripping the boards out and installing roosts and ripping the ceiling out and putting a new ceiling up Because I just don’t think the spray is getting in all the nooks and crannies of this old coop. Is there a bomb you can use inside the coop that will kill mites? This is draining of all of my energy. And I don’t want those nasty things on my birds. One person said use ivermectin 4 to 5 drops to the back of their neck several days after you have sprayed them. I use permethrin. Thanks everyone.
Also, both of my roosters have extremely inflamed red butts I’ve been spraying them with blue kote which usually works really well. But it doesn’t seem to be helping them. Is that from mites?
My birds are tired of me, grabbing them and spraying them as well. Dipping has been easier in them.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Be careful with ivermectin because it is VERY easy to overdose chickens. Have you tried using dust in the coop? You can get one of those puffer things (try searching Amazon for bug powder duster), lock the chickens out, and go to town on all the cracks and crevices. The dust will get EVERYWHERE vs a spray, including your lungs, so please protect yourself!

 

[berlyannpotter]

Can you post photos of what it looks like on your chickens?

 

[AMURPHY227]

I am battling an infestation of mites in my flock. I have a goose 4 ducks, two roosters and five hens.
I’m handling spraying the birds, but the chicken coop is the problem. I follow up check after I spray them and they’re completely gone but then 10 days or so later they’re back. My chicken coop is very old and there’s boards in there instead of roosts. Part of the ceiling is out and the insulation is exposed. I cleaned the heck out of the henhouse and sprayed as much as I could possibly spray I plan on ripping the boards out and installing roosts and ripping the ceiling out and putting a new ceiling up Because I just don’t think the spray is getting in all the nooks and crannies of this old coop. Is there a bomb you can use inside the coop that will kill mites? This is draining of all of my energy. And I don’t want those nasty things on my birds. One person said use ivermectin 4 to 5 drops to the back of their neck several days after you have sprayed them. I use permethrin. Thanks everyone.
Also, both of my roosters have extremely inflamed red butts I’ve been spraying them with blue kote which usually works really well. But it doesn’t seem to be helping them. Is that from mites?
My birds are tired of me, grabbing them and spraying them as well. Dipping has been easier in them.

The only treatment I know that normally doesn't require a follow up in 10 days is Elector PSP. That kills the live bug and eggs, but sometimes a follow up is still needed with that.

Permethrin only kills the live bugs, so a follow up is needed 10 days later to kill any eggs that hatched, before they are adults and can breed on your chickens again.

 

[thecatumbrella]

The only treatment I know that normally doesn't require a follow up in 10 days is Elector PSP.

This is what I use. But I don't know the safety margins for using it after having treated the birds with permethrin.

 

[AMURPHY227]

Also, both of my roosters have extremely inflamed red butts I’ve been spraying them with blue kote which usually works really well. But it doesn’t seem to be helping them. Is that from mites?
My birds are tired of me, grabbing them and spraying them as well. Dipping has been easier in them.

Are their butts just red and irritated, or do they have scabs on them? Pecking wounds?

I personally don't ever recommend blue kote to anyone, that burns them and is linked to carcinogens. However it is for injuries. I always use and recommend vetericyn spray for wounds/cuts.

 

[AMURPHY227]

This is what I use. But I don't know the safety margins for using it after having treated the birds with permethrin.

I believe I saw on another post where someone said it was ok to switch if needed. The bugs can be or become resistant to Permethrin.
I think it was @Eggcessive so I tagged her to weigh in and verify, she's super helpful and full of knowledge!

 

[thecatumbrella]

I believe I saw on another post where someone said it was ok to switch if needed. The bugs can be or become resistant to Permethrin.
I think it was @Eggcessive so I tagged her to weigh in and verify, she's super helpful and full of knowledge!

Eggcessive needs to be on the payroll here! One of the GOATs, for sure.

 

[AMURPHY227]

Eggcessive needs to be on the payroll here! One of the GOATs, for sure.

Agreed!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you post any pictures of the chicken’s bottoms in case of feather picking or broken off feathers. I have used BluKote on red skin to discourage pecking. My polish hens’ head feathers would be pecked, but BluKote stopped it if started early. Mites in a coop are a nightmare, since they can hide in the cracks and crevices at night. Some mites are on them night and day. Permethrin is good, and I like to use Martins or Gordons permethrin 10 concentrate diluted in water 1 tsp per quart of water. Use a spray bottle or garden sprayer for the coop. Prozap garden dust permethrin may be more tolerated, filling a sock to dust your chickens. Mites hatch every 5-7 days, so start treating every 7 days. Consider pressure washing your coop, and then spraying it with the permethrin. Some people have been so desperate with mites, they have heat teeated the coop or switched to a plastic coop. I have used permethrin for lice, but not mites. Repeat treatment and consistency is key. Straw is something they can hide in or be brought into a coop on, so I would avoid using that for bedding. Good luck on treating them. Consider Elector PSP or talk to your vet if permethrin doesn’t help.