Jenny Smedley Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Hi , Please bear with me - this is my first post !! I have two girls & was wondering how often I should worm them & how often should I dust them & the eglu with red mite powder ? All advice welcome ! Jenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Hello Jenny, I see that you live not too far from us How much you do either is up to personal choice and whether you can be bothered. I worm my chooks quarterly, or when I remember, the product that I use also kills off any lice or bugs. Each time I clean out the eglu, I press Diatom on the ends of the roosting bars and sprinkle Barrier red mite powder into the nest. The latter mainly because I love the smell! The main thing is to get into the habit of checking your chooks for lice, that way when they do get them, you'll spot the blighters quickly - rather like headlice Red mite don't live on the hens - they live in crevices and only come out at night to feed on the chooks, so you might see them on the ends of the roosting bars. I hope that this helps. How about meeting some of us at Ryton this summer (date yet to be announced)? There's a sticky about it at the top of the Nesting Box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Hello Jenny Worm every 3-4 months and dust the Eglu with Red Mite Powder every time you give the Eglu a clean. I put some in the nestbox too. Some people just use the powder when they think they have a problem with mites, others use it as a preventative. Some-one wiser and more experienced than me will answer soon I'm sure. Oh...welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 Welcome Jenny I also am worming my two every 4 months. I use diatom on the roosting bars and a scattering over the insides of the eglu. When I clean the eglu (about once a month) I also finish off with a spray of poultry shield just in case there might be something lurking! Red mite powder goes in the dust bath - make the chickens smell fabulous and they're much better at getting it between their feathers than I am Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Smedley Posted March 1, 2007 Author Share Posted March 1, 2007 Many thanks- if we get some decent weather I may have a go this weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 I've never used the powder and never had any red mite so it's up to you really. Regular cleaning and the plastic makes red mite less likely to be a problem BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Many thanks- if we get some decent weather I may have a go this weekend! Do it on Saturday, Sunday is a complete wash out. I've never used red mite powder either. I do put Diatom on the ends of the roosting bars after i've cleaned them whilst they are still wet...it sticks on more easily then. I also sprinkle some in the nesting box. I worm every four months as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 I've never used red mite powder either. You are sooooo missing out - I dont care if it kills mites or not, I get it for the delicious smell when the girls are covered in it after their dustbath i cant help keep picking them up for a quick sniff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny Smedley Posted March 2, 2007 Author Share Posted March 2, 2007 I'm off to get red mite powder for me - never mind the chooks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Good decision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 when the girls are covered in it after their dustbath i cant help keep picking them up for a quick sniff It does smell lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 What on earth does it smell of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 It's kind of a minty, lavendery, herby, fresh smell. You'll just have to get some to try out for yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
