4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Mrs AVP]

I have just discovered creepy crawlies in my hens feathers and wings, I presume they are mites. How do they get these? I have dusted them all down with red mite powderso hopefully this will hel. Is there anything else I can do?

 

Many Thanks

[The Dogmother]

See here Mrs AVP; all the information you need.

 

It's a bad year for them I'm afraid.

[Mrs AVP]

Thanks Claret, hope your enjoying the good weather we have had recently.

 

I had already read the thread but it don't believe it says how they get mites, please correct me if Im wrong.

 

Will the Red Mite powder cure them?

 

Thanks

[FruitandNutCake]

It certainly is a bad year! last year I didn't have any - now I have a severe infestation of what look like white mites and some brown/red mites. I'm sure they weren't there at all last time I looked! I've just dismantled the wooden coop and trying to work out how to clean it! Chickens will have to sleep in an old cardboard box tonight!

[The Dogmother]

They get them from wild birds Mrs AVP, so not a reflection on your husbandry at all.

 

I'm afraid that those with wooden housing are having a particuarly bad time of it lately just this weekend, I heard of two people who came over to the 'dark sided' of plastic housing because of red mite infestations. One even burned her wooden housing to be sure to get rid of the blighters!

 

Washing and spraying the housing before powdering with either Diatom or ant powder that contains pyrethrum (*don't use the latter near cats as it's toxic to them*). Treat the birds with washing and spraying as detailed above and you will stay on top of it. The friend I mentioned earlier now has a regular preventative routine set up and she hasn't had them back - but you do need to be vigilant.

[Mrs AVP]

ManyThanks.

 

I have disinfected the eglu out and dusted the birds down which has helped.

I need to buy some spray do you know where I can get this from?

 

Thanks

[Hen Watch]

I bought Johnsons Anti Mite Spray from Pets at Home (note there is egg withdrawal for 3 days after use) but I have to say I didn't really get along with it well. More to do with my girls not standing still than anything else......

 

I found chucking loads of Louse Powder over them the best. And also they have a dust bath permanently in their run and I mix Louse Powder in with the dry earth too.

 

This is the stuff I buy from CWF

http://www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=1285

[The Dogmother]

ManyThanks.

 

I have disinfected the eglu out and dusted the birds down which has helped.

I need to buy some spray do you know where I can get this from?

 

Thanks

 

 

It can be found at most pet stores, wheer are you located? One of us is bound to know of an outlet near you.