K-F-C Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Hiya... I've just noticed some little grey mite / flea type things on my white chicken... I assume they could be on the other darker ones too! Any ideas what they could be and how to treat them? The chickens show no other signs of ill health / feather loss etc... They dustbath regularly in compost sand and diatom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Johnson's Anti-Mite Spray, available from pet suppliers ie pets at home treats lice and mites. I have used this recently with total success Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 wot keyhole kate says... and also make sure to clean the coop effectively, use poultry shield, allow to dry and then add powder - louse/red mite versions and/or diatom. and repeat on a weekly basis (for the house at least). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-F-C Posted September 7, 2009 Author Share Posted September 7, 2009 I have a cube and I thoroughly clean it and and wash it down at least once a week... the poo trays have aubiose in them so I can pick out the larger bits during the week and I put diatom in the nest box! I don't know how they could of got mites... it's demoralising... I thought they were the most best cared for chickens in the world!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozboz Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 my chickens got lice a few weeks ago when we had a few warmer days and it feels awful. I used 'Johnsons anti mite spray' same as you've been told and found it worked with just one spray, i then sprayed again one week later just to be on the safe side. Thinking i may use it as a treatment once every 6 weeks as well as my poultry shield on coop and powders, don't know if thats over cautious but it puts my mind at ease Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 (edited) I've not seen mites or anything else but one of my girls have lost her feathers from her undercarriage and it it spreading to her neck. Having said this i have seen a few speckles of what looks like brown/red blood on my eglu door. have taken the eglu totally apart and power washed with hot water, poultry shield and diatom on a weekly basis. If I treat the girls with the Johnsons spray is there an egg withdrawal period? Edited September 7, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozboz Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 my hen stoped laying for a couple of weeks after spraying them but my chicken breeder told me that he carried on eating his eggs while treating his chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 The Johnson's Anti-Mite spray contains Permethrin and is not licensed for use on poultry in the UK. Egg withdrawal period would be one week from each use and I'd recommend spraying twice, a week apart with the addition of a preventative treatment as recommended by your vet. See this thread for advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-F-C Posted September 8, 2009 Author Share Posted September 8, 2009 I've been to my local Pets At Home, which incidentally now has a large chicken section, and bought some Bob Martins All In One Flea Spray as they did not have any Johnson's... http://www.bobmartin.co.uk/CatProductDetails.asp?ProductID=10171 and some Barrier Louse Powder (for future prevention) Before I use it do you think the Bob Martins will be OK (along with Egg withdrawal) or shall I try another store tommoz? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 It doesn't mention any ingredients, but does say 'pesticide free'. I wouldn't be too certain of it's efficiency myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-F-C Posted September 9, 2009 Author Share Posted September 9, 2009 It doesn't mention any ingredients, but does say 'pesticide free'. I wouldn't be too certain of it's efficiency myself. Opps... I put it on last night and they do seem to have gone... I've doused them all with Barrier Lice Powder today! Put some in their nest box and cube, and put a fresh handful of Diatom in their dustbath! Fingers crossed! Getting them in the first place makes me feel like a bad chicken keeper! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Don't feel bad, we all get them from time to time and it's no reflection on your good husbandry; at least you were vigilant and caught it before it got bad. If the spray is working, then stick with it. i don't know the product myself, so can't make any recommendations. Bear in mind that Diatom and the Lice Powder are only deterrents and have limited effectiveness as treatments. As you will read in this thread a friend recently had a nasty infestation of Northern Fowl mites; after I helped treat them, I put together a prevention programme for her, she now uses the following on her girls: Eprinex* for prevention; drops on the back of the neck quarterly Johnson's Anti-Mite Spray (or any other spray containing Permethrin/pyrethrum)* to spray on when lice are present Ant powder contining Permethrin* to dust the housing with * these products are not licensed for use on poultry in the UK, your vet may recommend an egg withdrawal period of 7 days after dosing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
