My Ladies have Mites?

[Cluckingitup]

So, if I am reading this correctly it would be Okay to use the Permethrin as a preventative? Tonight I rinsed the back end of my Sussex as she seems to be getting a lot of poo stuck there lately. *sleeps in nesting box - habit from previous owner* She was not thrilled with this treatment but was able to clean a bit off. The area looked a little irritated. Looked quickly did not really see any critters moving around, but wondering if maybe I missed them. I think I want to use the powder in the nesting box again as a preventative, just sprinkle on top of the pine shavings? My younger birds are not thrilled with me picking up and some just run when you get close, so spraying them on the roost is a good idea. *They roost like they are supposed to*

 

[aart]

So, if I am reading this correctly it would be Okay to use the Permethrin as a preventative?

IMO, no.
Don't treat for external parasites unless you see them.

she seems to be getting a lot of poo stuck there lately. *sleeps in nesting box

Probably 2 different issues, tho if she's sick she may be 'hiding' in the nest.
Trim butt feathers down to 1/2" from the skin, and assess diet and digestion.
Nest sleeping is often a crowding and/or integration issue.

 

[Matilda Belle]

My chickens have mites too. I am using permethrin dust topically, and permethrin spray for the coop and the run area. From what I gather, I need to repeat this every 7 days until the mites are gone.

 

[Matilda Belle]

IMO, no.
Don't treat for external parasites unless you see them.

Just curious why you shouldn't treat with permethrin as a preventative. Is it not effective that way?

 

[cmom]

So, if I am reading this correctly it would be Okay to use the Permethrin as a preventative? Tonight I rinsed the back end of my Sussex as she seems to be getting a lot of poo stuck there lately. *sleeps in nesting box - habit from previous owner* She was not thrilled with this treatment but was able to clean a bit off. The area looked a little irritated. Looked quickly did not really see any critters moving around, but wondering if maybe I missed them. I think I want to use the powder in the nesting box again as a preventative, just sprinkle on top of the pine shavings? My younger birds are not thrilled with me picking up and some just run when you get close, so spraying them on the roost is a good idea. *They roost like they are supposed to*

Check the birds at night after they go to roost. Often times mites come out at night and feed on the birds. I wear a headlamp so I have my hands free to examine the birds.

My chickens have mites too. I am using permethrin dust topically, and permethrin spray for the coop and the run area. From what I gather, I need to repeat this every 7 days until the mites are gone.

Just curious why you shouldn't treat with permethrin as a preventative. Is it not effective that way?

I don't use the permethrin year round. I don't use it in the winter months when I haven't noticed any pests. I use it all summer spraying every 7 to 10 days. Last year I had my first bout with mites. This year I have had them a couple of times. The permethrin does not kill the mite eggs so repeat spraying is necessary. Wild birds can introduce the pests into your flock.

 

[aart]

Just curious why you shouldn't treat with permethrin as a preventative. Is it not effective that way?

Why spread chemicals around if it's not necessary(nothing there to kill)?

 

[Matilda Belle]

Why spread chemicals around if it's not necessary(nothing there to kill)?

What do you recommend as a preventative?

 

[aart]

What do you recommend as a preventative?

Nothing...except keep wild birds away from your birds, that's what brings the lice and mites in...
...tho they can also be brought in on rodents and old straw stored in barns that have wild birds in them.

 

[cmom]

I agree with @aart. I don't spray as a preventative but out of necessity. Permethrin does not kill the mite eggs so repeat spraying is necessary in that case. I have had some wild birds get into my coops and attempt to build nests. I do take the wild bird nest materials out of the coops when I find them.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Nothing...except keep wild birds away from your birds, that's what brings the lice and mites in...
...tho they can also be brought in on rodents and old straw stored in barns that have wild birds in them.

Funny you mention it because I've been battling wild birds recently, which is probably the cause of the mites issue. I moved the food inside of the coop hoping to solve the problem, but they are now finding their way inside to the food. :/ Do I really have to wrap bird netting around my entire run to keep the damn things away?