Should I Cull Infected Hens

[phantom]

Hi,

I have a hard decision. I have just built a new coop and want to start with 4-5 hens. I was given two hens but now find they have a very serious mite infestation (large egg balls attached to the vent area feathers). I have wormed and dusted the hens, but, as this is the start of keeping hens I am concerned that these birds will infest the new coop and the new hens that I am going to buy.
Should I cull these hens and if I do how long should I wait before getting new hens?
Also what should I treat the coop with. They were dusted before they were put in the coup 4 days ago.

I would appreciate any advise.

Kind Regards,
Eric

 

[mandelyn]

You can also do off label use from several different products. Ivermect cattle pour on, 1 drop per pound, will treat them for it (think of frontline for dogs). I've done it in the past with success. Some people have used Adams Flea and Tick spray, front line, and some other stuff. Combined with a thorough dusting of the coop, that will interrupt the life cycle and get it eliminated or under control.

Be aware wild birds can drop off mites/lice as well if they hang out near the area or have access to feed, so if you cull every bird that came down with mites you'd run yourself right out of chickens. If some made it off the birds, and found their way to the new birds anyways, or if the new ones also have them... would you keep on culling?

It's a good idea to caulk any seam or crack in wood, or where wood meets wood, to reduce their hiding places and make it easier to maintain. Such as where the roost meets the wall, or whatever it is holding the roost up. Nest boxes too.

I haven't had to fool with it in a couple of years, but I did have to go through treatment 2 different times. I found some other weird bug on two hens recently... dusted them and that was that. Checking them often will keep a handle on it, if you never let it reach infestation levels.

I do a mix of DE, Sevin, and wood ash on the floor mixed with sand as bedding. They'll dust themselves, and having all that mixed in as maintenance ensures we never get an outright infestation.

It's a good idea to thoroughly look over any bird you plan on buying before bringing it home.