Recurring mites in silkie hens--any suggestions?

[jdibs]

I have 3 of the sweetest little silkie hens, free-roaming during the day and happy as could be. A few months ago, they weren't eating or leaving their coop, so I did some research (on them and the web) and discovered they had mites. I took them to vet who prescribed 3 doses, 2 weeks apart, of ivermectin injection. They got all better and were back to demolishing my garden just like old times. Now one stayed in coop this morning, checked her vent and mites again. The vet said they probably got them from wild birds. Sparrows are at their food all day long. Since I'm a novice, I'm wondering if someone can suggest a regimen for mite prevention that I can follow? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mypicklebird]

If you can see them around the vent, they are probably lice. Start powdering your birds with poultry dust (pyrethrin) or Sevin dust (carbaryl) twice (two weeks apart), then monthly as a preventative. You have to powder at least 2 twice- get the adults & subadult. You have to powder again, as the powder will not kill eggs- and you have to wait for those to hatch. If you can see globs of grey eggs at the bases of feather shafts above and below the vent- pull out the feathers or cut them off at the base to remove the eggs. Or wash the bird in warm soapy water a few times to try to remove the eggs.

 

[jdibs]

Thank you! I'll get right on it. Is there anything I should do to treat the coop or the ground? Or anything else preventative?

 

[vnploveschickens]

You should try sprinkling a bit of DE in the bedding and nesting boxes. Also rub De along your roosts, getting it into the cracks where they like to hide. Sure helps keeps all those nasties off of our chickens.

Good luck.

 

[mypicklebird]

Most lice species live on the bird- they are not in the straw/hay/dirt more than transiently. There are other external parasites that do- like red mites. If you treat your birds consistently with a good product- the problem should be controllable- but when you let your guard down.... they will be back. Cleaning the coop is still a fine idea though, if there are lice- there may be mites. If you clean out your coop well, dust the power into cracks & crevices. Some people use poultry dust in their outdoor dust baths so they can 'self powder'- but I don't personally do that as these are potent insecticides, and I don't really want to kill beneficial insects. Some people use food grade DE as a preventative in the houses, on the birds, and in the dust baths- but it gives me a rash, and I haven't seen it work very well in my birds.

 

[jdibs]

Amazingly helpful. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. The little things moving on my hen's vent are tiny and red, so must be red mites. I'll do everything you all suggested and keep them safe and healthy. Thanks again!