NY chicken lover!!!!

[vmdanielsen]

Ugh...after 2 and a half hours, the deed is done. If it aint dead yet, it will be soon! Managed to hit the big coop as well with the spray and dust. I definately dont like using the chemicals but hopefully it works. Going back out to burn. Its cold out so hopefully the fire will keep me warm!

I hated to use the nasty chemicals too. But I ended up using them in the end. Good luck.

 

[cheeka]

I just got home, had to do a double route, emergency in one town, carrier had a death in his family, his route is over 100 miles, so I finished the last few deliveries just as it was getting too dark to see inside the car without turning the dome light on...
when I got home, I thought I would go look for afternoon eggs, as I only got 2 this morning. to my total surprise, there was no one roosting in the store bought coop where the original gang always roosts! the flashlight showed me the story... the roost has been knocked down, and they are all roosting together in the back of the enclosure, where the 3 newer birds always sleep... well almost all, a head count came up short one hen. Violet is in the nest box, wide awake, chirping to herself... I'll give her a little more time, see if she's just waiting for her egg... and then put her up with everyone else. the combo of birds was also interesting to me. on one roost is Royce, my original oldest roo, with Archie, one of the new additions, and a few hens. on the other roost, my little bantam, Peach, was nestled between the BR's and the 3rd roo Si. made me happy to see them blended all together.

 

[marquisella]

Use Frontline for dogs/cats. 2 -3 drops on their backs and good to go. Continue as directed ..

Ivermectin works on mites. You can put the injectable type in their water for 2 days. Repeat in 2 weeks. It kills just about everything except tape worm. 2ccs per gallon of water

 

[rancher hicks]

I hated to use the nasty chemicals too. But I ended up using them in the end. Good luck.

If you use it sparingly it should be fine. I'd prefer not to use them too, but sometimes you have no choice. Try to keep things as dry as possible. I keep hygrometers in two of my coops to monitor the humidity.

Chickens can deal with the dry cold better than the warm and damp.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

I never had cooties before (to use ranchers term) but I think that all the rain we had kept everything so damp that thats why we had an infestation. I always leave the doors and vents open on the coops unless its extreme weather but we have had an inordinate amount of rain this fall and nothing could get really dry. Ivormectin works good on the cheeps and the coop looks good after being nuked. We shall see. I will go poking around with a flashlight tonight.

 

[vmdanielsen]

If you use it sparingly it should be fine. I'd prefer not to use them too, but sometimes you have no choice. Try to keep things as dry as possible. I keep hygrometers in two of my coops to monitor the humidity.

Chickens can deal with the dry cold better than the warm and damp.

I agree. The question I ask myself is "Is it better to use a lower grade toxin("natural" things can be toxic too), for longer periods, or just plain more of them or more often, than it is to bring out the "big guns" and eradicate the buggers for sure. Sometimes I decide one way, sometimes the other. In any event, cooties have to go!!

I never had cooties before (to use ranchers term) but I think that all the rain we had kept everything so damp that thats why we had an infestation. I always leave the doors and vents open on the coops unless its extreme weather but we have had an inordinate amount of rain this fall and nothing could get really dry. Ivormectin works good on the cheeps and the coop looks good after being nuked. We shall see. I will go poking around with a flashlight tonight.

Good luck!!!

 

[Glasshen]

Are mites nocturnal?

 

[Tab's chicken obsession]

I was just out clipping off the collard and broccoli plants to put in for the chickens. They were happier than pigs in mud.

 

[ImpulsiveFarmer]

Are mites nocturnal?

Yes, but it's also easier to check the chickens at night because they are all in the coop asleep and you don't have to chase them around to catch them.

 

[Glasshen]

Good to know that mites can be viewed better at night, and I hate chasing chickens. The girls hate it too, and they punish me by withholding eggs.