RED MITES?

[NashvilleLuLu]

I just found red mites on our flock. I have so many questions. I am new to chickens. I am freaking out and I feel like I am failing these creatures.

This may be a long story but I feel the details are important for me to hopefully get the appropriate help. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

We clean our tractor coop every 4-5 days and sprinkle with DE; fresh water every day; and bleach waterer once a week.

We picked up a rooster 12 days ago from the farm we got our chicks from last year. On the drive home we realized the rooster had a bit of a rattle. It got worse. Fed him fresh herbs, cinnamon, garlic, olive oil in banana mash. ACV in the water. He got better. And then we found him dead this morning.

No flaky feet, no blood in droppings, no diarrhea. The new rooster and the Blue Laced Wynadotte hen (Loretta) we got have been separated from our two ladies because our Americuana Splash (Dolly) have been fighting still.

One the way home from picking up said rooster 12 days ago, we picked up from straw from a different supplier.

QUESTION #1: Can red mites from straw? Where do red mites come from? It's winter in Nashville. How are they even alive?!!?

This morning our black maran was lethargic then collapsed. No rattle when breathing, but obviously in some type of distress. I got some Vet Rx. It has not helped (yet?). I set her up in the loft with a heat lamp and to my immediate surprise found her crawling with red mites. Shined the light on our Americuana Splash, same thing. Blue Laced Wyndotte, I can't really tell, but I'm going to assume yes. (And yes we are down to three hens right now because a hawk has been picking off our small flock. We have taken steps against it that seem to be working for now. I have another thread going for that nightmare.)

I am concerned about the possible respiratory problem, but cannot find any info on how to get rid of red mites on chickens so I've lightly dusted them with DE.

QUESTION #2: How do you get red mites off a chicken?

QUESTION #3: Can red mites kill a chicken?

QUESTION #4: Low temperatures or heavy rain is our forecast for the next ten days. How do I effectively clean, dry, seal, and paint in these conditions??
We do not have a heated garage or any heated space to do this in.

Thanks again for any help.

Signed,
Nashville LuLu Feeling helpless

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Stop the DE. It's a respiratory irritant to both chickens and you and does nothing for mites. Get some pyrethrin or permethrin based poultry dust and dust birds once a week for 3-4 weeks. Also dust all cracks in you coop, especially roost cracks.

Give them a dust bath. It's how chickens keep mites under control. Wild birds will bring in mites, so will other chickens.

Bringing in chickens from multiple sources can also bring in diseases that other birds haven't become immune to and vice versa. It's best to stick to a single source if possible.

 

[NashvilleLuLu]

Stop the DE. It's a respiratory irritant to both chickens and you and does nothing for mites. Get some pyrethrin or permethrin based poultry dust and dust birds once a week for 3-4 weeks. Also dust all cracks in you coop, especially roost cracks.

Give them a dust bath. It's how chickens keep mites under control. Wild birds will bring in mites, so will other chickens.

Bringing in chickens from multiple sources can also bring in diseases that other birds haven't become immune to and vice versa. It's best to stick to a single source if possible.

Will stop DE and get pyrethin poultry dust. Our coop is a new tractor, but I will be thorough, trust me!

They free range and dust themselves in the yard, but I will add the dust their spots.

The new rooster and hen came from our only source. Everyone is usually very healthy. Hence just one of the reasons why we are baffled by all this.

Thank you for your suggestions.

 

[Kiki]

Spray the coop....every crack weekly.
Permethrin concentrate has to be mixed with water:

Permethrin Concentrate, Martin's on Left - Durvet on right

• Kiki
• Jul 28, 2018
• 2

Screen Shot 2018-07-20 At 8.58.04 AM

• Kiki
• Aug 3, 2018

Premixed Permethrin...no mixing required.

Martin's PERMETHRIN spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• 6
• flies lice mites permethrin

IMG_20180322_102709

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018

Since it is probably cold where you are now spraying the chickens might not be a good idea but they do sell permethrin dust too.
Dust them weekly.

 

[NashvilleLuLu]

Spray the coop....every crack weekly.
Permethrin concentrate has to be mixed with water:

Permethrin Concentrate, Martin's on Left - Durvet on right

• Kiki
• Jul 28, 2018
• 2

Screen Shot 2018-07-20 At 8.58.04 AM

• Kiki
• Aug 3, 2018

Premixed Permethrin...no mixing required.

Martin's PERMETHRIN spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• 6
• flies lice mites permethrin

IMG_20180322_102709

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018

Since it is probably cold where you are now spraying the chickens might not be a good idea but they do sell permethrin dust too.
Dust them weekly.

THANK YOU!!

 

[Kiki]

If you do buy a concentrate let me know which one you buy and I'll help you with the amount needed to mix with water.
Some times the instructions on the bottle are confusing because they usually are for mixing large amounts.

 

[NashvilleLuLu]

How long do the chickens need to be out of the coop after spraying?

 

[Kiki]

How long do the chickens need to be out of the coop after spraying?

Five minutes...if that.