Mites

[horseyjess]

Ok have some chickens and Guneau Fowl that I purchaced at an auction about 3 weeks ago. I was getting ready to move their cage into my coupe and introduce everyone. Upon final inspection before moving the coupe I found Mites. None of my flock have mites so I dont want to introduce any. I havent had this issue and have heard a few way to get rid of them. Seven dust and a burlap bag and shake.. Doenst sound like to much fun for them! The other was just dust them by hand with seven dust. What is the way you would handle this? The chickens and Gunieas look fine combs etc are nicely colored wouldnt think mites but on inspection yep...

 

[mountainroost]

I don't have an answer. I have a thread going that is telling me that my chickens might just be beginning a mite breakout. I was going to dust them with sevin this evening so i'm interested in your answer, but I'm wondering- what did you see when you say you found mites? what do they look like?

 

[horseyjess]

Well Hold the chicken and pull some of the feathers back around their cackles (head). Then get in good light and watch move around a little and watch. You can see little white bugs they almost remind me of a louce in human head lice but smaller you have to look close. If you seperate the feathers and look at the skin in a good light you should be able to see them!

 

[FlashPointFarm]

I would get some food grade DE and keep it on hand. I'll tell you what I did from the start and have yet to have any issues with infestations of bugs.

First, before I bedded the coop, I took my DE and put it into a flour sifter. Then I covered the floor, window sills, and any ledges. Then bedding.

Next, I put DE in each nest box, put in the hay/straw/bedding, then more DE.

Lastly, I got a small swimming pool, added ag lime, oyster shell, sand and DE. The birds will dust bathe in that and stay critter free.

Every once in a while, I will scatter some DE in the spots where my birds dust bathe outside.

Good luck!

 

[a2ms4chickens]

I would dust them the Sevin 5% dust, we pour it in a sock or knee high stocking, and pat them under their wings, vent and belly. Sevin dust will kill the mites faster than DE.

We sprinkle DE in the pens and nesting boxes when we clean every week.

Good luck!!!

 

[horseyjess]

Ok I feel like a dunce DE is????

 

[caralouise1974]

You really need to identify exactly what you're dealing with before treating.

If you can see the 'mites' actually on the birds during the daytime, then they are unlikely to be red mites, unless you have a very serious infestation. More likely these are Northern Fowl mites, or perhaps they are in fact lice. Red mites don't live on the birds, they hide in the housing, only attacking the birds at night as they roost. In contrast, lice and Northern Fowl mites spend their whole life cycle on the birds.

One thing's for sure, DE will not be effective against an established infestation - it simply isn't powerful enough. You need something with more punch than DE, now that you actually have a problem. DE is okay for prevention, but won't budge an established infestation.

Try and find out what you're dealing with before commencing treatment. Oh, and do it very quickly - mites and lice can kill poultry, through causing anaemia, extremely fast.

Good luck