wood shavings in coop

[millerchix]

We use wood shavings in our coop and nesting boxes, however our hens have mites again after having them in March. Could the shavings be promoting mites?

 

[zacharylaster]

Sprinkle diatamaceous earth around I the shavings should ki off mites and sprinkle on the birds to prevent them that what I do

 

[teach1rusl]

I wouldn't think they're "promoting" them. Straw will do that, as it's hollow, so gives mites a place to hide. Mites come from wild birds, so do you get a lot of birds in the housing/run area? And some areas are just more prone to mites than others.
When you treated for mites earlier this year, did you mix DE or Seven into the new bedding you put down? Many use a few drops of Frontline on their birds to treat mites (a dog dose will treat many chickens)...you might try that.

 

[teach1rusl]

ohhh...also with mites and dust treatments, you do have to retreat about 10 days later, because often the eggs survive, and then hatch even after the adults have been killed, so you have to get the newly hatched ones before they're old enough to begin reproducing. Maybe that's why the Frontline works, because it stays on the skin and gets the mites that hatch later...??? When using dusts, always retreat...