Need clear instructions for permethrin powder in the coop today!

[aart]

I saw one very tiny almost translucent white bug run on a chickens belly.

So, sounds like lice?
Not sure you even need to treat the coop.
If you have roost mites, then the coop needs to be treated, best to use spray and soak all the cracks and crevices.


Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[Cryss]

So, sounds like lice?
Not sure you even need to treat the coop.
If you have roost mites, then the coop needs to be treated, best to use spray and soak all the cracks and crevices.


Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

I do think it’s lice but not much of an infestation. More like I caught it early. I haven’t seen signs of mites yet. And I do check.

Too late. We just finished clearing out, sweeping, blowing, dusting, refilling PDZ, bedding, and nests. My back is killing me and it’s dinner time. Chickens get dusted tomorrow. I guess I don’t have to think about mites for awhile now.

 

[khind]

It is best to spray nests, roosts, and the coop with either permethrin spray or the Elector PSP. But first, the bedding should be removed far away. The permethrin dust is best applied to the body of the chicken, either with a some in an old pair of stockings, or sprinkled on with the can. Some use an old pillow case and add the dust, then the chicken, to apply it taking care not to get it into her face. The dust would be difficult to use to treat the coop thoroughly. Permethrin can be used every 30 days in the coop if needed.

Thanks for the reminder about an old pillow case! I'll be treating my flock this today on my own, and that *might* prove the easiest way to do it. It's a good option at least.

 

[khind]

Here is a video of applying dust to a chicken, but be careful about getting so much in the face:

And here is a better one:

Here is a video of applying dust to a chicken, but be careful about getting so much in the face:

And here is a better one:

I found the 2nd video particularly helpful - thank you for posting it. And she says you have to get it under all the feathers (being careful around the face) or some lice could survive and remain there - wow.

 

[khind]

It is best to spray nests, roosts, and the coop with either permethrin spray or the Elector PSP. But first, the bedding should be removed far away. The permethrin dust is best applied to the body of the chicken, either with a some in an old pair of stockings, or sprinkled on with the can. Some use an old pillow case and add the dust, then the chicken, to apply it taking care not to get it into her face. The dust would be difficult to use to treat the coop thoroughly. Permethrin can be used every 30 days in the coop if needed.

Do you think it's absolutely necessary to wait til roosting time to dust the birds if they're kept out of the chicken house til it dries? I feel like it might be easier for me to take mine out one by one, treat and leave outside in their enclosed large yard, and then treat their coop and run.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Doing it on the roost means you don't have to chase and catch each chicken as you would if doing it during the day. On a very hot day you could actually lose some to heat exhaustion, not to mention making it much harder on yourself.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If you did it first thing in the morning as you describe, treating each chicken then turning them out into the run, that could work. I think I would find it tricky to open the door and release one at a time without untreated hens making a break for it. Maybe you could treat them all and then release them all at once, if you had some way of marking the done ones so as not to miss any.