Permethrin

[McReynolds]

Hi
So I scrubbed out my small wooden hen hose with soapy water then later sprayed till it was soaked with Nettex Ready-To-Use Total Mite Kill Liquid Spray that has permethrin but today i went to inspect and still seem mites on the eggs and a few on the roof, does it take time to work our did i justnot get them all?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi
So I scrubbed out my small wooden hen hose with soapy water then later sprayed till it was soaked with Nettex Ready-To-Use Total Mite Kill Liquid Spray that has permethrin but today i went to inspect and still seem mites on the eggs and a few on the roof, does it take time to work our did i justnot get them all?

Did you treat the birds?

 

[McReynolds]

Did you treat the birds?

No as I thought mites left hens during the day , I have had hens for a few years and this is the first time I found mites

 

[EggSighted4Life]

No as I thought mites left hens during the day , I have had hens for a few years and this is the first time I found mites

That's inaccurate, so might be worth looking into.

There are over 2500 species of mites with only a few of those effecting chickens.. out of those few only the red roost mites don't live on the chickens themselves and come out to feed at night. But Northern fowl mites, depluming mites (microscopic), scaly leg mites, and lice live on the birds.. and can be brought in by wildlife.

The following link shows mostly extreme cases but is for example..

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

Using a flashlight or headlamp after dark.. get a hold of the hens and part their feathers below their vents and on their abdomens down to the skin to see if you can witness anything running away from the light. Also notice the skin condition.. is it angry red with little scabs or light pinkish and smooth?

In over a decade of keeping chickens.. there were only a few seasons I have needed to actually treat my fowl and coops/lay boxes. Sometimes weather pattern matters, But I still check monthly.

Permethrin based products were very effective for me. Use one that's labeled safe for use on poultry (found in the equine section at TSC type stores) and no egg withdrawal is required. I used spray and doing so a small spritz under each wing pit, just below the vent, and also at the back base of the neck where it meets the head.. since head lice don't travel to the body. Soaking is not required, and it may be available as a dust.. I prefer it stay on the birds so don't use dust.. but some people in cold climates may have other preferences.

Hope this helps!