The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: doganjo on April 23, 2009, 12:46:17 pm

Title: Mites - what to use?
Post by: doganjo on April 23, 2009, 12:46:17 pm

Hi, my ex batts are scratching and dust bathing a lot - I take it that's a sign of mites?  My question is can I use the mite powder/pump spray that's suitable for pigeons or do i need a specialist one for chickens?

Title: Re: Mites - what to use?
Post by: dixie on April 23, 2009, 01:30:17 pm

Ooh not sure? but the best tip I was given is to squirt washing up liquid onto the ends of the perches, the mites cant walk through it, it took weeks to get rid of them when ours were infected, I resorted to steam spraying the whole shed weekly, applying red mite powder to the birds and the bedding and the washing up thing, got rid int he end but it was no mean feat! I now have a upvc shed awaiting to to be put up ::)

Title: Re: Mites - what to use?
Post by: carl on April 23, 2009, 01:47:13 pm

check around the perches, where they are connected to the shed. You will see a load of tiny red dots if you have the dreaded mites. i use the red mite spray on my birds and on the perches to help. a good thing to use is good old creosote on the joints in the shed, as that is where they hide before sneaking out at night and sucking blood from the birds. The warmer weather starts them breeding and they are buggers to shift. the mite spray you have should be fine to start with. pick the birds up and give them a good squirt all over, especially round the vent area. if you see blood specks on the eggs it is a sign of maybe mites, or worms. ( or just a massive egg). when your birds are outside, get the hut opened up and give it a good clear out, remove all perches and nest boxes and blitz all crevices with whatever you decide to use. once you notice them, it is sometimes well into the infestation, as they are so small, and only increase in visibillity when they have benn feasting on your pride and joy.
good luck. its a rubber gloves and face mask task.

Title: Re: Mites - what to use?
Post by: YorkshireSmallholder on April 23, 2009, 02:13:34 pm

If you dont like the idea of using acaricides/insecticides you could try diatomaceous earth which is a natural product & basically works by causing dehydration in the mites (I won't bore you with the details) but i've used it for red poultry mites & fleas & it's very effective. It should be available via the usual channels & ebay, intenet etc.

Title: Re: Mites - what to use?
Post by: minidax on April 23, 2009, 07:56:11 pm

Hi

I just bought my diatomaceous earth from Wiggly Wigglers http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/shop/searchresults.html?-session=shopper:3E31045A0a5452FB07jjW16AC0DE (http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/shop/searchresults.html?-session=shopper:3E31045A0a5452FB07jjW16AC0DE) and have been 'puffing' it in the hen house and all nooks and crannies every week when cleaning out, will do each hen and dust baths this weekend.

Title: Re: Mites - what to use?
Post by: Rosemary on April 23, 2009, 08:39:37 pm

It might just be lice. In fact if the hens are otherwise healthy, it's more likely lice than red mite, which severely debilitate the birds by sucking blood.

Catch one of the hens,  turn it on it's back and part the feathers around the vent and on to the tummy. If you look carefully, you will be able to see the little blighters running about. They are clear cream colour, oval and fast. You may also see clusters of grey / white eggs on the base of feathers. The main place for lice are round the vent and under the wings. They don't harm the hen per se (unlike red mite) but are irritating and can put them off laying / eating etc.

If there are lice, and there probably will be, dust with louse powder, available from pet and farm stores. You'll have to do it again in a week or so, as the eggs take 7-10 days to hatch. If any of the feathers have a high egg burden and you're brave enough, you can pluck them out (hens pluck their own feathers so it can't hurt that much!) and dispose of them preferably by burning. Don't throw them on the grounds where they can hatch and infect another bird.

Don't worry if you get lice on you - they are host specific and will jump off in due course ;-)

Title: Re: Mites - what to use?
Post by: shetlandpaul on April 23, 2009, 08:49:52 pm

yes indeed dont worry but trust me you will scratch. if the powder does not work get frontline for dogs four squirts will kill them off the lice that is. This stuff is off perscription and has a weeks no eating of eggs. so use it as a last resort. we had a poor bantam light sussex who was very heavly infested i put some sheep spot on about 2mils. very risky but he was ok/ i was debating killing as i could not clear him. he was louse free the next day but again this is very much the last resort. the egg picking is horrible but a lot easier than on children. He is now happily chasing and beating up cocks twice his size.

Title: Re: Mites - what to use?
Post by: Rosemary on April 23, 2009, 08:53:48 pm

We've found that some breeds seem to be more susceptible than others (I'm now itchy). Our RIR were worst while the Leghorns and Legbars rarely have any. The Black Rocks are OK too.

Title: Re: Mites - what to use?
Post by: doganjo on April 23, 2009, 09:26:46 pm

I was going to put my ex batts in the next run to the LS this weekend eventually letting them together in a few days as I am moving my ducks to another shed and run.  I may need to delay that now for a couple of weeks but in the meantime I'll have a look and try to determine what it is.  At least I can pick them up, the LS run like stink when i try picking them up! Damned pedigress! ;)

:chook:
                       :chook: [move]

                                             

                                           :chook:

Thanks for all your help.

Title: Re: Mites - what to use?
Post by: shetlandpaul on April 24, 2009, 09:00:21 am

if its lice you will need to treat all your birds. We had fun powdering the turkeys last year. but they come out smelling nice. Do you have a wild bird problem. this is were we think ours come from. We seem to have half the starling population visiting sometimes. if you can picture power lines of hopeful starlings staring at you. make sure you check any birds you get in too.