Silkie breeding, genetics & showing

[Me & Jack]

Ok guys, I need some major help. As much as I hate to admit it and I am quite embarrassed to even ask....my flock has mites, what now? I am over asking myself how this could have happened, I am so careful, but now we gotta get rid of them. They were all in the barn for Hurricane Sandy, so now basically they all have them, some less severe than others. I completely stripped out the barn, bleached the slab along with all of the fencing, carriers, and anything that they may have come into contact with, including my coop boots. They were all powdered on Friday. They are in the crests as well, how do I treat the crest. I am ok with an aggressive method of treatment, what is the fastest and most effective way to kill em dead? Is it possible to have mites and lice?

If I am treating them with the powder, how long until it kills them? I looked them over today, and the little red critters, were still alive and well.

I am so frustrated, I have been sick for the past few weeks, and now this. It took every bit of energy I had to strip the barn. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, and I know I am not alone because I have my "silkies peeps".

ROFL!!! Relax, you are NOT alone. I don't know too many people who haven't had to deal with mites and lice repeatedly. I treat my birds monthly just to keep the mites under control, and it's a constant fight. If wild birds (sparrows in my case) can get anywhere near your birds you can guarantee you'll have mites. Some treatments to try: Frontline (yes, the spot-on treatment for dogs or cats)--a couple of drops anywhere on the bird (but affected area makes the most sense); Permethrin spot-on treatment for horses (supposed to be non-toxic to birds and has no known fertility concern like the Frontline, use 3-4 drops on affected areas monthly); Sevin dust (treat both the birds and the premises liberally); Permethrin premise spray (treat roost poles, corners, nest boxes and anywhere birds congregate). Those are the most common treatments, and I think a combination of them at one time works better than any singularly. And keep in mind this is a constant and ongoing thing...treat and repeat monthly!! If you can keep the mites under control--even if you can't eradicate them completely--you'll be doing better than a lot of folks.

 

[Adoravachick]

ROFL!!! Relax, you are NOT alone. I don't know too many people who haven't had to deal with mites and lice repeatedly. I treat my birds monthly just to keep the mites under control, and it's a constant fight. If wild birds (sparrows in my case) can get anywhere near your birds you can guarantee you'll have mites. Some treatments to try: Frontline (yes, the spot-on treatment for dogs or cats)--a couple of drops anywhere on the bird (but affected area makes the most sense); Permethrin spot-on treatment for horses (supposed to be non-toxic to birds and has no known fertility concern like the Frontline, use 3-4 drops on affected areas monthly); Sevin dust (treat both the birds and the premises liberally); Permethrin premise spray (treat roost poles, corners, nest boxes and anywhere birds congregate). Those are the most common treatments, and I think a combination of them at one time works better than any singularly. And keep in mind this is a constant and ongoing thing...treat and repeat monthly!! If you can keep the mites under control--even if you can't eradicate them completely--you'll be doing better than a lot of folks.

This is the first time any of my birds have had mites or lice. Is it possible that they got it from a flock of wild Turkeys that have been hanging around the coops looking for food? They were back again today.
I want to continue breeding throughout the winter, so I am not sure that the frontline would work for me. I do like the sound of the Permethrin spot-on and premise treatment though, I'll get some tomorrow. They are back in the coops while the barn was getting the royal treatment, it was just too much for me to do EVERYTHING.





Can the birds OD on the chemicals?

 

[moomoodiddy]

i am so excited!!!!!!!! just found out one of my white silkie hens has a little bit of recesive paint coming through how would i improve the paintiness there are only a few spots on her and i would like to hatch some better paints from her please help thanx!!!!!

 

[moomoodiddy]

This is the first time any of my birds have had mites or lice.  Is it possible that they got it from a flock of wild Turkeys that have been hanging around the coops looking for food?  They were back again today.
I want to continue breeding throughout the winter, so I am not sure that the frontline would work for me.  I do like the sound of the Permethrin spot-on and premise treatment though, I'll get some tomorrow.  They are back in the coops while the barn was getting the royal treatment, it was just too much for me to do EVERYTHING. 





Can the birds OD on the chemicals?

u can also dust them with 7 dust and put de (dead algea dried up u can buy it at tractor supply it cuts small bugs to death) in their pens and nests

 

[Feathersprings]

i am so excited!!!!!!!! just found out one of my white silkie hens has a little bit of recesive paint coming through how would i improve the paintiness there are only a few spots on her and i would like to hatch some better paints from her please help thanx!!!!!

There is a paint thread here so you might look there for more info. Usually you breed Paints back to black for the best results though some people will breed back to what. I recently bred Paint to paint and out of 10 eggs got 2 paints and the others are blacks and whites

 

[Feathersprings]

Can anybody help me with a few Showgirls I am interested in purchasing? I made a thread in this section with photos and I need some advice/opinions before I go through with the purchase. Thank you!
~Chicky

Did you post on the showgirl thread ? It is sometimes hard to give opinions on other peoples birds. So much is personal preference and what you can tell from pictures is limited. Good luck with your Showgirls!

 

[jrosemoore]

I send my culls to a local "exotic" bird auction that occurs twice a year. No one knows who drops off all the silkies, most get a reasonable price, and I get a check in the mail a few weeks later. It's a good situation for us and works well.

 

[moomoodiddy]

There is a paint thread here so you might look there for more info. Usually you breed Paints back to black for the best results though some people will breed back to what. I recently bred Paint to paint and out of 10 eggs got 2 paints and the others are blacks and whites

thanx! this is great cauze im gettin a black roo

 

[Adoravachick]

ROFL!!! Relax, you are NOT alone. I don't know too many people who haven't had to deal with mites and lice repeatedly. I treat my birds monthly just to keep the mites under control, and it's a constant fight. If wild birds (sparrows in my case) can get anywhere near your birds you can guarantee you'll have mites. Some treatments to try: Frontline (yes, the spot-on treatment for dogs or cats)--a couple of drops anywhere on the bird (but affected area makes the most sense); Permethrin spot-on treatment for horses (supposed to be non-toxic to birds and has no known fertility concern like the Frontline, use 3-4 drops on affected areas monthly); Sevin dust (treat both the birds and the premises liberally); Permethrin premise spray (treat roost poles, corners, nest boxes and anywhere birds congregate). Those are the most common treatments, and I think a combination of them at one time works better than any singularly. And keep in mind this is a constant and ongoing thing...treat and repeat monthly!! If you can keep the mites under control--even if you can't eradicate them completely--you'll be doing better than a lot of folks.

Thanks for the help, I am feeling much better about the situation and I don't plan on letting it get out of hand again. We normally spend so much time with our silkies, but since I have been sick, they basically just get food and water and not so much of the extra cuddles and treats. Thanks again!

 

[Adoravachick]

thanx! this is great cauze im gettin a black roo

That's great! I am learning that a good black rooster is valuable to any Flock, they can give you so many breeding options.