powdering for mites?

[chooniecat]

my 9 adult chickens have mites-the mites do seem to cluster(gag!)on their rears. it says to be "sure to powder around vent" and i was wondering if I could pretty much JUST do their rears since its such a messy project and doing the whole chicken might be a waste of time? THANKS.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The mites congregate around the vent area because of the moisture. However, not all mites will be in that area. You do need to do the whole hen. And repeat in 10 to 14 days to get the next cycle that hatch out. Dusting does not kill the eggs, just the living mites.

Not doing the whole hen will be a waste of time as you will be doing it again pretty soon.

 

[chooniecat]

Thanks-wasn't sure how far I HAD to go but will do what has to be done. just cleaned out their living area and will powder them COMPLETELY in 2 weeks.

 

[Msbear]

make sure you powder the coop, nesting boxes and perches!!! or spray them with permithren solution (TSC $4.99). Good Luck, Im dealing with similar situation

 

[Granolamom]

I just had the same thing with mine. We dusted them with Seven Dust (sp?) twice, 10 days apart. We only dusted the vent area and under their wings, since that seemed to be where the mites lived.
We also made a whitewash of DE and water, and "painted" the inside of the coop with it.
No mites since then, knock on wood. I liked the whitewash idea, because I wanted to use the smallest amount of toxic chemicals, possible, and will do this now on a regular basis (a few times a year).

 

[Judy]

Two methods that some use:

Put chicken in large plastic bag up to neck, hold closed around neck, cut hole in bottom of bag, dust inside bag.

Put dust in old piece of panty hose/knee high, and use like a powder puff on chicken.

Wear a mask, either way.