Natural roost materials

[Hoosierchickens]

I'm considering using 3" diameter saplings from my property to make roosts out of but have a concern. Can parasites like mites be introduced to my flock from using tree branches for roosts? If so, could I use them if I dust them with Sevin dust or DE? I try to keep the wooded gully behind my house thinned anyway so the trees are more healthy and we can walk through it. It would be great to be able to use the small trees.

 

[BWKatz]

The seven dust should take care of anything.

 

[suzeqf]

i'm using a limb in my older chick brooder and they seem to like it but they prefer to roost on the tobacco stick i didn't do anything to these i just put them in

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Realistically, not going to happen, unless you pick branches from a tree that birds REGULARLY roost in all night (as opposed to just yer random tree). Also it is much easier to keep the roost clean if you remove the bark first, which would remove most or all of any infinitesimally-small number of mites.

Of all the possible routes of exposure to mites, this would not be one I'd worry about

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Hoosierchickens]

Thanks. I just didn't want to have any regrets. I'm a total newbie.