Topic of the Week - Lice and Mites - Prevention and Treatments

[Folly's place]

I don't want to kill outside critters, so only spray inside the coop and run. Mary

 

[Raggedyroad]

I am cleaning out and spraying coop today. Can I buy the permethrin at the hardware store or do I need to get it from the farm store? Also should I spay the dirt floor as well and around the outside of the coop? Then what should I use to treat my hens?

 

[Kiki]

I am cleaning out and spraying coop today. Can I buy the permethrin at the hardware store or do I need to get it from the farm store? Also should I spay the dirt floor as well and around the outside of the coop? Then what should I use to treat my hens?

Permethrin sprays can be found at both...even Walmart sells it.
And you can use it on your chickens too.

 

[Folly's place]

Make sure that whatever you buy is labeled for poultry, and not with additional ingredients. The Gordon's spray concentrate is at the farm stores and is by far the most cost effective!!! Don't spray outside, you will kill bees and most beneficials. And permethrin is toxic for cats. Mary

 

[casportpony]

And permethrin is toxic for cats. Mary

Last weekend I had a serious scare while spraying around the house for flies, which is a way more concentrated solution that the poultry one... There I was blindly spraying away with the mist going everywhere when I noticed my cat had been following me and was now covered in the spray. Wasn't sure what to do, and I didn't want to waste time looking it up, so I grabbed him and gave him a luke warm bath with a mild soap. It's been a week now, and he's okay!

 

[rottlady]

If you are just spraying the coop you can buy the permethrin at Walmart the Sawyers brand

I'd never treat the birds just the building every crack let it dry and then re bed

 

[Raggedyroad]

Thank you for the responses but there were still questions that didn't get answered. Do I spray the dirt floor? Also, do I just spray the seams and cracks or the entire wood surface? Do I need to spray the wood ceilings and beams? Do I need to spray again in a couple weeks?

 

[casportpony]

Thank you for the responses but there were still questions that didn't get answered. Do I spray the dirt floor? Also, do I just spray the seams and cracks or the entire wood surface? Do I need to spray the wood ceilings and beams? Do I need to spray again in a couple weeks?

Spray everything, including bird. Spray again if you see signs of mites.

Do not use anything that is not labeled for use on poultry or in poultry houses.

 

[AUtiger]

Just saw some lice on one of my (4) new 16 week old pullets so I did a spray down of the coop/run and all the gals with Permethian. Couple of questions:

1. I sprayed each bird (4 new and 3 original) with a good dousing along their backs, legs, bums. Do you have to saturate EVERYTHING or is it absorbed into the skin for a systemic type treatment like the stuff I use on my cats?
2. I figured I should go ahead and worm them too while i'm at it? (and they are 16 weeks old and are not laying so we wont have to throw eggs out.) Can/should you do both (Permethrin & Ivermectin) at the same time? OR Should I start with the Safeguard wormer instead and do Ivermectin for the 2nd round? OR
3. Should I just wait, I just got the 4 new ladies a week ago and I don't want to be overwhelmed with stress.

 

[Folly's place]

The Gordon's bottle has directions about amount of spray/ bird. I didn't use that much, and I certainly wouldn't use more!!! Sixteen week old chickens shouldn't have much of a worm burden (if any) so I'd leave the Ivermectin out. It's not approved (like all the other wormers!) and I'd save worming for absolute need, after having a fecal run, or seeing things in the poo. Mary