Preventing Mites and Lice?

[Robert Kazlauski]

The idea of mites and lice infecting your flock is so scary. It sounds as if it is easy to become infected and very, very difficult to eliminate it. I guess the best way of dealing with the issue is to implement a preventative measure. So, my question is........ what is the best product to use in the coop and run to prevent lice and mites?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The idea of mites and lice infecting your flock is so scary. It sounds as if it is easy to become infected and very, very difficult to eliminate it. I guess the best way of dealing with the issue is to implement a preventative measure. So, my question is........ what is the best product to use in the coop and run to prevent lice and mites?

You'll get a lot of opinions.

I spray my coop/housing about every quarter with a Permethrin based poultry spray. If needed, I dust birds with a Permethrin based poultry dust.

Rodents and wild birds can be vectors for bringing in External Parasites, so do what you can to keep the rodent population down and deter wild birds from entering housing/coops/runs. Rodents can be a challenge, they will populate quickly, so try to stay on top of that.

Others use Elector PSP and find it to be very effective too. I've never used it, so can't say, but would assume you'd use it to treat birds and housing.

 

[Robert Kazlauski]

So, do you remove your chickens while spraying? Is it harmful if they get sprayed? Does this come as a liquid and powder? Can you sprinkle the powder in the coop and run? How effective is it? Does it do the job?

 

[Perris]

The idea of mites and lice infecting your flock is so scary. It sounds as if it is easy to become infected and very, very difficult to eliminate it. I guess the best way of dealing with the issue is to implement a preventative measure. So, my question is........ what is the best product to use in the coop and run to prevent lice and mites?

Mites and lice are not a problem for wild birds (unless and until they are really sick or injured). So maybe the best preventative measure is not to lock up your birds in a small space and a wooden coop in which mites and lice can thrive and take over.

 

[Robert Kazlauski]

Mites and lice are not a problem for wild birds (unless and until they are really sick or injured). So maybe the best preventative measure is not to lock up your birds in a small space and a wooden coop in which mites and lice can thrive and take over.

Interesting. But I need to protect fluffy silkies from rain, snow and the cold.

 

[Perris]

Interesting. But I need to protect fluffy silkies from rain, snow and the cold.

Silkie feathering isn't suited to most environments. You know your climate and weather patterns (you don't give your location so the rest of us can't advise to suit). I imagine there are lots of birds that live there in winter, even if the delicate types like silkies migrate somewhere warmer for winter. Perhaps investigating how they live in your winters might reveal some pointers.

 

[NBchickentender]

while spraying? Is it harmful if they get sprayed? Does this come as a liquid and powder? Can you sprinkle the powder in the coop and run? How effective is

So, do you remove your chickens while spraying? Is it harmful if they get sprayed? Does this come as a liquid and powder? Can you sprinkle the powder in the coop and run? How effective is it? Does it do the job?

I am battling a lice and mite infestation now.... first time and within our first year of having chickens.

I turned to Farm Guard Permethrin. Spraying the chickens took forever, I tried a natural spray from Amazon but it took like 2 hours and recommends reapplication multiple times a week. We have 28 chickens.
So that's when I turned to Farm Guard, and I chose to dunk them in a bucket (not the head of course) with the right amount mixed according to their dosage label. Label also says it is safe to spray the coop with chickens around. We kept them outside just to be safe. (Side note: Permethrin is Toxic to Cats!) We also replaced all their bedding...and sprayed every corner after removing the bedding. but moving forward we are going to dunk them again in a week (Farm Guard doesn't kill the lice/mite eggs). We will spray the coop with Farm Guard probably every 2-3 months for prevention.. I really don't want to deal with lice and mites again.

 

[NBchickentender]

I am battling a lice and mite infestation now.... first time and within our first year of having chickens.

I turned to Farm Guard Permethrin. Spraying the chickens took forever, I tried a natural spray from Amazon but it took like 2 hours and recommends reapplication multiple times a week. We have 28 chickens.
So that's when I turned to Farm Guard, and I chose to dunk them in a bucket (not the head of course) with the right amount mixed according to their dosage label. Label also says it is safe to spray the coop with chickens around. We kept them outside just to be safe. (Side note: Permethrin is Toxic to Cats!) We also replaced all their bedding...and sprayed every corner after removing the bedding. but moving forward we are going to dunk them again in a week (Farm Guard doesn't kill the lice/mite eggs). We will spray the coop with Farm Guard probably every 2-3 months for prevention.. I really don't want to deal with lice and mites again.

I forgot to add I read something about egg withdrawal, not sure if it means permethrin gets in the eggs and you shouldn't eat it, or if it's about residue that could just be washed off? or if the chicken stops laying? "Google" recommended 3-7 days of egg withdrawal after treatment.

 

[MysteryChicken]

So, do you remove your chickens while spraying? Is it harmful if they get sprayed? Does this come as a liquid and powder? Can you sprinkle the powder in the coop and run? How effective is it? Does it do the job?

No you don't have to remove your chickens while spraying. Permethrin is used on chickens as well.