Using DE AND lime AND sweet PDZ at the same time with pine shavings bedding in coop?

[Iluveggers]

None of those things will do anything whatsoever to prevent mites or lice.

These parasites are transmitted through direct or indirect contact with wild birds or using contaminated bedding.

Is it possible for birds to get mice or lice without contact from wild birds?

 

[3KillerBs]

Is it possible for birds to get mice or lice without contact from wild birds?

I have heard that sometimes bedding can be contaminated when it was stored in a place where wild birds had contact with it.

My personal policy is to buy straw and shavings from a reputable farm supply store, to check my birds periodically, and to not borrow trouble.

If I ever find a problem -- and I probably will some day since there's no cover on my run -- I'll use whatever brand permethrin-based poultry dust my farm store carries. But until then I don't waste worry.

 

[3KillerBs]

P.S. Since I use yard waste in my run -- grass clippings, pine straw, leaves, etc. -- I could bring them in that way.

The upsides of these aspects of my management system are, to me, worth the risk.

 

[Vadard]

Way too complicated. Just keep the coop clean with fresh bedding and treat any problems if/when they arise. Permethrin is a cheap and effective fix if/when any mites or bugs show up. Just pay attention to your birds.

 

[Genene]

The idea of DE & Lime is to kill the mites & lice that come into contact with it by dehydrating the insects bodies. I sprinkle First Saturday lime in the coop, the run & their dust bath.

 

[3KillerBs]

The idea of DE & Lime is to kill the mites & lice that come into contact with it by dehydrating the insects bodies. I sprinkle First Saturday lime in the coop, the run & their dust bath.

If it could do that to an insect's tough carapace -- and it may or may not actually work -- think what it would do to a bird's delicate lungs.

IMO, if you DO have mites/lice you should treat them with Permethrin, which is proven to work. If you DON'T have mites/lice you shouldn't borrow trouble.

 

[Vadard]

If it could do that to an insect's tough carapace -- and it may or may not actually work -- think what it would do to a bird's delicate lungs.

IMO, if you DO have mites/lice you should treat them with Permethrin, which is proven to work. If you DON'T have mites/lice you shouldn't borrow trouble.

100%. DE is bad for human lungs, too! So anybody who is using it should wear a mask.

 

[Unswydd]

Ok, reading the thread I use DE on the bottom of the coop under the pine shavings. Giving this a second thought now. But...what is FSL? Nevermind. I found it. Geez.....

 

[ValarieF]

100%. DE is bad for human lungs, too! So anybody who is using it should wear a mask.

Thats the crystaline not the food grade!

 

[aart]

Thats the crystaline not the food grade!

The food grade isn't much better.