Open sore and permethrin dip (not emergency)

[alinas2010]

I have one hen (Ravioli) who cannot seem to escape the wrath of mites. I believe the wild birds are bringing them in as they had them bad this summer and inevitably the chickens got them.

I thought we were in the clear, but it turns out this hen has a pretty bad infestation. I think we will stop free ranging in the yard for a bit to avoid any chance of picking them up again. Anyways, that’s not what I need guidance on. I’d really like to stick to powdering them since it is winter here and I don’t want to bring them into the house with mites. However, Rav was due for her second powdering on Wednesday. Did that, checked last night and there are still quite a few mites on her. It seems like a lot to have just hatched. Some are very clearly dead, I think, since they aren’t moving, but I could see some moving. So I’m wondering if I’m not powdering her adequately? I try to get it down onto her skin very well, and powder every inch of her. It’s not fun since she and the others are finishing molt and they have pin feathers that get bumped during the powder down, I feel really bad.

I’m considering if I need to try to dip her, instead. I’m willing to suck it up and bring her inside and try a dip in a few days if the mites aren’t clearing. But the dilemma I’m having is that I found an open, (not deep but but not really superficial) wound in her tail area. Im not sure how she got it, but she seems to itch it, so I’m wondering if it’s from skin irritation from the mites that just gradually became an open sore. I feel absolutely awful about it and I don’t want to do a dip on her if that will irritate the wound further or make her sick.

Ravioli seems chipper enough and is eating and drinking okay, but I need this problem resolved. I’ve cleaned the coop/run 3 times now between end of summer and now and I’m really frustrated.

So can I dip her with an open wound? Would a spray be better?

 

[Debbie292d]

Hey there!

Does your permetherin powder say .25% on it?

Just making sure it's not some product that uses less of it than what's standard.

Had you also done her coop twice when you did her twice? I've never heard of anyone not getting rid of them after doing the two treatments so this is unusual. Stubborn mites for sure!

If you choose to do the dip though, I would think if you put some greasy ointment like vaseline on the wound, it would prevent the liquid from getting into it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

For me, I'd powder her again. Do you put the powder in a sock and use it like a powder puff? This will give you finer control of the powder.

I'd agree with you that likely she's picked at herself or even the Mites have caused a breakdown of tissue. On the open sore, I'd apply some triple antibiotic ointment or hen healer to help soothe the area and let it heal up. Bonus would probably be that any mites there would get smothered by the ointment.

Another thing I use sometimes, especially if I want to target Permethrin dust in crevice of dust a nesting box is use a condiment bottle (Walmart has them in the Kitchen section for around $1). You do have to experiment with it to figure out control, but this may help you get down to the skin.

Another option is getting a duster. I've never used them, I've seen them in a few videos and blogs, I think it's probably fiddley and may clog but don't know for sure, but you can check those out. Links below to get you started on your search LOL (I spend way too much time on Amazon)

https://www.amazon.com/Norcalway-Co...8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Qualirey-Dia...-14-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

 

[Debbie292d]

For me, I'd powder her again. Do you put the powder in a sock and use it like a powder puff? This will give you finer control of the powder.

I'd agree with you that likely she's picked at herself or even the Mites have caused a breakdown of tissue. On the open sore, I'd apply some triple antibiotic ointment or hen healer to help soothe the area and let it heal up. Bonus would probably be that any mites there would get smothered by the ointment.

Another thing I use sometimes, especially if I want to target Permethrin dust in crevice of dust a nesting box is use a condiment bottle (Walmart has them in the Kitchen section for around $1). You do have to experiment with it to figure out control, but this may help you get down to the skin.

Another option is getting a duster. I've never used them, I've seen them in a few videos and blogs, I think it's probably fiddley and may clog but don't know for sure, but you can check those out. Links below to get you started on your search LOL (I spend way too much time on Amazon)

https://www.amazon.com/Norcalway-Condiment-Squeeze-Bottles-Liquids/dp/B0CD1PXZTZ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1MAH458TAZ6TD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IhnFhYDws1rAMjMP7gEgr4XDI6v6MBGP9VBoUjtYPjUev6g5oF5iOyFFN9W66IerTa7D41UQ5SzIMdNReP55n0itEi0bvWKsSJG3Fx3XSaM0TrVABtqtIX5Slhuhki6oWYbUPuAR4QDR2jHQPXBSBAIgfnZtv9AlTVTCpBB-oCiLLzDnFhfRnVKjBKr478eQbkh5NLB0pfLmoven4uiuTzaRr2PofsGG4fkyC78URIqOlyYGRpshxR5nBQpPGMitjQaFdF7l-95bwUEGd0ahgobV97KVy9KY5lTDOIVgKYA.oT4TiKaWiFpdBT34YaEVZiT8SehwWlbKiXEswuza-EE&dib_tag=se&keywords=condiment+squeeze+bottles&qid=1765602483&sprefix=condiment+,aps,141&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Qualirey-Diatomaceous-Extension-Control-Sprayer/dp/B0DZCXZHX7/ref=sr_1_14_sspa?crid=1LMF4IQVMO6LG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.W2Y2Szojiov13aZiCZ7_8HXLvxrmAvSBhMw0g3qSqCNg7IrMIWdxurSl1n3oU0BrSlzpIJCwRb0E-fPS6dMb3tV6gqH7dpLS3ngqp0oObnhI-jeBchaXYxz6CntM1HlMKJ3S0JEaSwyEug4X3VExLv83qFr9aQyFH3AfUpZ1ndCBYBGzQSTa2hYsj4di6Y-R-vecBsAfrakOYzZRyPqdnEoSGhTWeb6R8pdtdv0hieyqGWRnqgpHj-vNUI8bgQW5SD8uCKwpfB74nVN1sYJ_w__FBrrXBKZT1Mg-oP2D2U0._bNQGHlsF7yUQv87vtq07L8HpBNa5g1z-4b-9_RLu0w&dib_tag=se&keywords=powder+duster+for+pest+control&qid=1765602500&sprefix=powder+duster,aps,136&sr=8-14-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1
View attachment 4265670View attachment 4265672

Oh wow, I've got to get those bottles! We buy the permetherin powder in a 10# bag then hubby and I sit there and try get it back into the can we bought it in. You ought to see that! Also, it's not as powdery, so it doesn't come out as nice. I bet one of those would work slick! We use it for the coop by the woods that gets just general bugs and little beetles. It kills all those too.

I chose the duster. Buying it! Thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Oh wow, I've got to get those bottles! We buy the permetherin powder in a 10# bag then hubby and I sit there and try get it back into the can we bought it in. You ought to see that! Also, it's not as powdery, so it doesn't come out as nice. I bet one of those would work slick! We use it for the coop by the woods that gets just general bugs and little beetles. It kills all those too.

I chose the duster. Buying it! Thank you!

Oh no, those cans are awful LOL
If I buy a small can, then I just dump it into another sturdy jar or just fill a sock, then put the sock in a jar.

Last time I got Gordon's Total Farm Dust, that's a 3lb container, it has large pop up slots on top, so I fiddled around and made a funnel out of a piece of paper to fill up my sock and condiment "puffer" LOL

 

[alinas2010]

Hey there!

Does your permetherin powder say .25% on it?

Just making sure it's not some product that uses less of it than what's standard.

Had you also done her coop twice when you did her twice? I've never heard of anyone not getting rid of them after doing the two treatments so this is unusual. Stubborn mites for sure!

If you choose to do the dip though, I would think if you put some greasy ointment like vaseline on the wound, it would prevent the liquid from getting into it.

Hi! Thanks for the reply. I used this on her the first time, last Friday. I believe it is appropriate:

The second time, Wednesday, I opened a new container, the same stuff wyorp rock posted, Gordon’s total farm dust in that large container. That was all they had left at one of our farm stores. Apparently mites are really bad here right now, because they said that people were buying the powder like crazy the last week. At the other farm store they had no permethrin spray at all left, so luckily I was able to get some of that, too at the opposite store. Anyways I’m rambling now. I think they’re both appropriate powders.

I have not cleaned the coop out a second time after powdering her down Wednesday because I was really surprised she had that many mites still. But I did go in and spray the roost, ramp, etc. and dump some powder everywhere. Admittedly I was not prepared to clean it out again and didn’t have time until this weekend. Which I will definitely do if it will help. I didn’t have this issue getting rid of them in the summer. I’m really kind of dumbfounded.

For me, I'd powder her again. Do you put the powder in a sock and use it like a powder puff? This will give you finer control of the powder.

I'd agree with you that likely she's picked at herself or even the Mites have caused a breakdown of tissue. On the open sore, I'd apply some triple antibiotic ointment or hen healer to help soothe the area and let it heal up. Bonus would probably be that any mites there would get smothered by the ointment.

Another thing I use sometimes, especially if I want to target Permethrin dust in crevice of dust a nesting box is use a condiment bottle (Walmart has them in the Kitchen section for around $1). You do have to experiment with it to figure out control, but this may help you get down to the skin.

Another option is getting a duster. I've never used them, I've seen them in a few videos and blogs, I think it's probably fiddley and may clog but don't know for sure, but you can check those out. Links below to get you started on your search LOL (I spend way too much time on Amazon)

https://www.amazon.com/Norcalway-Condiment-Squeeze-Bottles-Liquids/dp/B0CD1PXZTZ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1MAH458TAZ6TD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IhnFhYDws1rAMjMP7gEgr4XDI6v6MBGP9VBoUjtYPjUev6g5oF5iOyFFN9W66IerTa7D41UQ5SzIMdNReP55n0itEi0bvWKsSJG3Fx3XSaM0TrVABtqtIX5Slhuhki6oWYbUPuAR4QDR2jHQPXBSBAIgfnZtv9AlTVTCpBB-oCiLLzDnFhfRnVKjBKr478eQbkh5NLB0pfLmoven4uiuTzaRr2PofsGG4fkyC78URIqOlyYGRpshxR5nBQpPGMitjQaFdF7l-95bwUEGd0ahgobV97KVy9KY5lTDOIVgKYA.oT4TiKaWiFpdBT34YaEVZiT8SehwWlbKiXEswuza-EE&dib_tag=se&keywords=condiment+squeeze+bottles&qid=1765602483&sprefix=condiment+,aps,141&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Qualirey-Diatomaceous-Extension-Control-Sprayer/dp/B0DZCXZHX7/ref=sr_1_14_sspa?crid=1LMF4IQVMO6LG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.W2Y2Szojiov13aZiCZ7_8HXLvxrmAvSBhMw0g3qSqCNg7IrMIWdxurSl1n3oU0BrSlzpIJCwRb0E-fPS6dMb3tV6gqH7dpLS3ngqp0oObnhI-jeBchaXYxz6CntM1HlMKJ3S0JEaSwyEug4X3VExLv83qFr9aQyFH3AfUpZ1ndCBYBGzQSTa2hYsj4di6Y-R-vecBsAfrakOYzZRyPqdnEoSGhTWeb6R8pdtdv0hieyqGWRnqgpHj-vNUI8bgQW5SD8uCKwpfB74nVN1sYJ_w__FBrrXBKZT1Mg-oP2D2U0._bNQGHlsF7yUQv87vtq07L8HpBNa5g1z-4b-9_RLu0w&dib_tag=se&keywords=powder+duster+for+pest+control&qid=1765602500&sprefix=powder+duster,aps,136&sr=8-14-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1
View attachment 4265670View attachment 4265672

Yes, I used a sock like a powder puff, but I also dumped some in my (gloved) hand after the powder puff application on both occasions and thoroughly worked that handful down into her feathers around her vent/tail. All I can think is I’m not being as thorough as I think I am? There were dead mites on my gloved hand the second time, so I do think it’s working, just maybe user error getting a good application? Idk that’s all I can come up with. I hope there aren’t mites resistant to the permethrin or something scary like that.

I have a condiment bottle! Good idea!! I will try again tomorrow. Thank you for the links and suggestions, I’m getting to my wits end with this!

I have been applying ointment to the wound. Cleaning with Vetericyn and then applying ointment, actually. So hopefully it will be okay. I am checking it every night, but she’s not very happy with me, so I don’t get as good of a view as I’d like. I can try to get a picture of the wound/mite situation tomorrow if she lets me.

The mite infestation here this summer was horrible. I think that’s what this all stems from. A sparrows nest fell out of the tree in our back yard on a really windy day. I picked it up to throw it away and of course there were baby birds in it still. So trying to do the right thing, I stuffed it up into a hanging planter so the parents could continue to care for them.

Looking back, I wish I would’ve found somewhere outside of our yard to put it, because that nest and then the planter were INFESTED with mites. Of course not long after the chickens contracted them. I guess it was bound to happen at some point, but I thought we were in the clear with winter creeping in. Now it’s just seeming like it’s worse from what the farm stores are saying.

They fledged that nest just covered in mites, I should’ve known better:

I just thought of this; should I be changing out the dirt in their dust bath?? Could that have mites in it? They have a bucket to dirt bathe in, maybe she is recontaminating herself there?