Yep, we did have an episode of mites. We used Pyrethrin on them as recommended. Dusting them is easier than it sounds...put some dust in a sock, grab a bird off the roost at night I use a use a flashlight with a blue washcloth taped to the end of it so I get just enough to see by but not so much that it overly disturbs the birds) hold the captive upside down by the feet, and pounce the sock against the skin. The feathers fluff out when you hold them upside down, so you can really get the dust down there as well as hit the vent area and under the wings well. The day we did that, we also cleaned and treated the coop, spraying it with Neem oil, again as directed on the package with a drop or two of dishwashing liquid added to make it easier to spray, and took out all of the nest box material, cleaned them, and then sprayed the nests and behind them.
I know it's work. Yes, no doubt. But when I first got chickens I signed on for all of owning chickens, including the work and the yucky parts. Do I wish there was a one shot deal where I could rely on miracle products to save me the extra effort? Sure, at times I do. Shortcuts sound great, but I've only had to do this full out war once....keeping the mites under control is the goal.....instead of constantly replenishing the layers of DE or whatever. I don't use the mite dust as a preventative. I don't want them exposed to any more stuff than is necessary to maintain their health and comfort. After all, I want to eat both the eggs and the meat and feed it to my family as well. But by keeping a close eye on them, by treating the roosts and coop with Neem oil on occasion, and by keeping a diligent eye out for problems I feel like I'm fulfilling my responsibility to them, even if it takes more time and effort.
I'm not saying that my way is the only way. I'm saying that what I do is the best for me and my particular flock and husbandry goals. If folks want to use DE or anything else, they should by all means do so.
