- Jun 20, 2019
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Hi everyone! I’m looking for some much needed input on treating my chickens for DEPLUMING MITES. I would like to avoid using Ivermectin because, during the COVID-19 pandemic, fresh eggs are crucial for our family. But...my chickens are really struggling with this issue, and they are my beloved pets! I feel awful and I’m very much torn as to what to do—i always said, the chickens come first, the eggs are just a benefit! But now, fresh eggs mean we can cook, bake, etc without leaving our house and putting our health at risk.
To answer a few questions proactively:
—I have nine hens, all are affected to very varying degrees. They will be one year old end of this month (4/29/20).
—Yes, I know they’re depluming mites. It’s taken since November, when I first saw slight signs, for me to diagnose this!! A very, long frustrating road (see my past threads). I also involved a vet who had no idea what was causing the problem (feather loss, bare butts, broken blood feathers, etc)
—I gave one dose of Ivermectin (a few weeks ago, prior to the pandemic) but did not repeat it...BIG MISTAKE!! I also dusted with Sevin.
—I sprayed the whole coop and run with permethrin, and sprayed the girls with it too.
—I am starting to increase their probiotics and researching best how to increase their immunity. They are very healthy OTHER THAN the feather loss, red skin, bare butts!!
—I just bought a 50 lb bag of DE that I will begin to use asap. I am going to repeat Sevin dust today.
I would like to try to tackle this issue by increasing their immunity and using the DE and Sevin. What do you think?! Will this be enough to knock back the issue? Or am I being the most horrible chicken mom in the world for not using the Ivermectin again?! If I do, I’m looking at over a month without eggs....which, in normal times, would be totally fine!!!!!....but now, not so much
Please let me know if you’ve had any experience in combating this issue without Ivermectin! Also, if you have any good products you use for boosting immunity, let me know! I’m open to suggestions!
Thank you so much, in advance, for your input! I hope you and yours are all doing well and hanging in there during this crazy time we are living in!
To answer a few questions proactively:
—I have nine hens, all are affected to very varying degrees. They will be one year old end of this month (4/29/20).
—Yes, I know they’re depluming mites. It’s taken since November, when I first saw slight signs, for me to diagnose this!! A very, long frustrating road (see my past threads). I also involved a vet who had no idea what was causing the problem (feather loss, bare butts, broken blood feathers, etc)
—I gave one dose of Ivermectin (a few weeks ago, prior to the pandemic) but did not repeat it...BIG MISTAKE!! I also dusted with Sevin.
—I sprayed the whole coop and run with permethrin, and sprayed the girls with it too.
—I am starting to increase their probiotics and researching best how to increase their immunity. They are very healthy OTHER THAN the feather loss, red skin, bare butts!!
—I just bought a 50 lb bag of DE that I will begin to use asap. I am going to repeat Sevin dust today.
I would like to try to tackle this issue by increasing their immunity and using the DE and Sevin. What do you think?! Will this be enough to knock back the issue? Or am I being the most horrible chicken mom in the world for not using the Ivermectin again?! If I do, I’m looking at over a month without eggs....which, in normal times, would be totally fine!!!!!....but now, not so much
Please let me know if you’ve had any experience in combating this issue without Ivermectin! Also, if you have any good products you use for boosting immunity, let me know! I’m open to suggestions!
Thank you so much, in advance, for your input! I hope you and yours are all doing well and hanging in there during this crazy time we are living in!
. My girls are a MESS! I gave them a dose of Ivermectin last Sunday and plan to re-dose them today. The vet said re-dose in two weeks....but he also was not able to diagnose the issue we are having. From everything I have read, this is Depluming Mites. So, I will re-dose them today. We are using the injectable, given orally (.25ml), to every bird. Does anyone have any input on whether or not the oral is more or less effective for Depluming Mites as opposed to a topical application (Ivermectin pour on)? Also, I have GOT to do something for their stop light red, irritated skin! Any advice on good sulphur (FOS) products? I was going to order some today and make my own salve...but figured I would tap into the knowledge on here once again 
I feel so bad that I can't resolve this issue, SOOO frustrating!!
I'm going to order the NU Stock today for sure. We do NOT have a rooster. I originally thought that we had a bad case of bullying. They have minor pecking order issues...this is my first flock (they are just under a year old) but I can tell who the mean girls are and who is the lowest in the order. However, the amount of damage I'm seeing, and the areas in which I am seeing it (ie under wings)....it can't all be attributed to damage due to pecking or plucking. They seem to me to be causing the feather loss and breakage themselves, in an attempt to alleviate irritation or itchiness. And the feathers that are damaged just look like they have disintegrated, or have been chewed on...?!?!? We have never seen mites and also have gotten them tested for worms and coccidiosis recently (negative result). I'm at my wits end 
Thank you for your help and advice in getting nu stock!!!
