Newbie to forum - MITES?!

[great dane]

Hi there chicken fans! I have had chickens for the last 6 years and have so enjoyed fresh eggs and watching them cluck around the property helping with the ticks (hopefully!) I have just realized that 2 of our 8 chickens has feather loss around their back ends and upon further investigation online that this is caused by mites and now have the dubious job of trying to rid our coop and all of the pesky bugs before further damage is done. I feel very overwhelmed by differing information on just what works and doesn't so I'm reaching out today to see if this community can help me. I just bought "Pure Planet" Poultry spray ($13) which has active ingredients of Clove Oil and Cottonseed Oil .5% each. I also watched a You Tube video of a spaying with a very expensive $$ Elector PSP ($150). I am at a total loss but want do not have to spray my whole flock daily! Any help from the world of chicken owners would be greatly appreicated.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us. Here's a link to a search that I have just done. The answer to your question should be somewhere there. If not, then feel free to start a thread on the ER forum -
http://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC Glad you joined us and sorry to hear about mites. Post as ken suggested and I'm sure you'll get good advice. Also there will probably be some folks stopping by here who can help as well. Again, welcome and thanks for joining us

 

[casportpony]

Hi there chicken fans! I have had chickens for the last 6 years and have so enjoyed fresh eggs and watching them cluck around the property helping with the ticks (hopefully!) I have just realized that 2 of our 8 chickens has feather loss around their back ends and upon further investigation online that this is caused by mites and now have the dubious job of trying to rid our coop and all of the pesky bugs before further damage is done. I feel very overwhelmed by differing information on just what works and doesn't so I'm reaching out today to see if this community can help me. I just bought "Pure Planet" Poultry spray ($13) which has active ingredients of Clove Oil and Cottonseed Oil .5% each. I also watched a You Tube video of a spaying with a very expensive $$ Elector PSP ($150). I am at a total loss but want do not have to spray my whole flock daily! Any help from the world of chicken owners would be greatly appreicated.

Welcome to BYC! The best thing to try first is permethrin. Go to Tractor Supply, or any feed store and buy a 10% permethrin spray concentrate that is labeled for on poultry. A small bottle should cost less than $10 and will make many gallons.

Edited to add:

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC!
We are so glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

Permethrin based spray.....CHEAP

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

 

[Kiki]

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard chickens. I would make sure whatever you purchase is safe to use on chickens, and know exactly how much or what dilution is necessary for them.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to Backyard chickens. I would make sure whatever you purchase is safe to use on chickens, and know exactly how much or what dilution is necessary for them.

Good point! I added the directions to my last post.

 

[blackdust951]

hi

 

[cassy]

does permethrin come in a powder form for use during the winter months?