The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: cheekychick on March 01, 2009, 12:40:06 pm
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:chook:Its getting towards that time of the year and this is how we deal with red mite, we've kept chickens for years and this really works.
1. Prevention is better than cure.
2. Buy yourself some DIATOMACEOUS EARTH and put some in an old talc pot.
3. Clean your hen house out really thoroughly ( with a hoover if necessary )
4. Sprinkle powder liberally on perches, perch housing, end grain, in nest box and any nook or cranny close to your hens when they are perching.
5. Put in your normal bedding, shavings is good.
6. Use a bit more powder every time you clean.
7. Check for mite regularly ( I check every other day )
8. If you find a couple, they won't feel very well, but squash them anyway and clean out every 3 days to break the breeding cycle.
9. SORTED !!!
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Thanks for the advice. Where do I get the earth stuff? I've got a tub of red mite powder. Is the earth better?
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:chook: We get ours from www.solwayfeeders.com in 400grm tubs, the postage is the same for up to 3 tubs I think or at least 2 so don't order just one, share it with a friend. If you get a bad infestation you can make a solution from it and spray it over the entire inside of your house on a sunny day and leave is to dry. It kills the mite by desiccating their bodies. Harmless to your hens and you !! Alot of the mite powders say " deter" or "prevent" Diatom says "kill"