Mites

[ChickenMama18]

We don't have any mites, but I'm wondering if I need to dust for them as a preventitive measure or ???? If so, what do you use?

 

[chkinut]

maybe somebody else can help you better than i can. i don't even have my chickens yet....but i will in a couple weeks!

anyway, i personally decided to use Duatomaceous Earth (DE) to add to the dirt that they take dust baths in....or i think you can even sprinkle it in their coop and all around their run. i even think you can add it to their food.....but like i said, i'm new to all this too....but i've done research on it.....it's safe for chickens....i think it's just ground up sea creatures (or something like that) and it kills the bugs. i personally don't wanna take the chance with mites....i've read some sad posts about peoples' chickens dying cuz of mites. and others on this board.....maybe you could answer this question....is it inevitable that the chickens WILL get mites if you don't take preventative measures? when i was a teen.....we had chickens, they DID get mites....but my parents used this stuff called Sevin (i think).

 

[Lesa]

Going on my third year with chickens. Never had mites or worms and don't treat as a preventative. I feed organic layer pellets and my chickens are happy and healthy. If you don't see mites, I wouldn' t worry.

 

[Terri O]

Well, it is supposed to kill the bugs...I personally use SEVIN and mix it with the DE and garden dirt and wood ash. They can dust bathe whenever they want. Unfortunately mine do not all do this! I just brought in a very large EE roo that is finally getting better from his mite infestation. I cant find any others in the flock (so far) that have mites...there must be at least one other though! I believe that when you free range your birds they have the chance to pick up anything and everything! I mean the wild birds are always all around...if you have an infestation you probably need to get it under control before you can use the preventative stuff. Terri O

 

[ChickenMama18]

We don't have an infestation, and we live in a residential area. I was just wondering if I "should" be doing something to prevent it...or leave it alone if all is well.