3.6m Omlet Chicken Run for sale, Brand New in Boxes, Milton Keynes (MK19)

[jayjay]

Bill and Daff are back to being bosom buddies after the mystery nest debackle and were sitting ice as you like pruning themselves on the patio this morning at my feet squeaking beautifully (I love that wee squeaky thing that they do ). As they wandered off there were a heap of feathers flying about. OH picked up a large wing feather and said 'what's that on it?' There was a wee mite thingy

I was really surprised as they look healthy as ever, glossy etc. Anyway the question is - what to do. Immediately went and changed straw, disinfected house but I suppose there will be some kind of treatment. Any advice greatly received.

My thoughts on owning ducks - lurching from one dilemma to another - with a large smile on your face

Cheers

JJ

[miller30]

Hi ive never treated mine for mites i dont know what you would use as they are always in and out of water not much help sorry leanne

[jayjay]

No problem leanne. I always thought that they were pretty much mite proof and to be honest the feather was picked up from the ground.... I haven't actually seen one on the girlies themselves. Still better safe than sorry. Will await the knowledge of the knowledgable

JJ

[donald]

Hi

 

They are in moult at the moment and if its just one bug(so many bugs around) I would just keep a close eye on them and see . If you can grab them to have a good inspection of their coats. But again I have never had mites in 12 years etc.

 

But my garden is full of feathers and they look very dull

 

Donald

[jayjay]

Thanks D

Went in to local farm supplies store and had a chat with a chicken keeper there. Described said beastie and she said it sounds like a louse She also said it would be from a wild bird and very common at this time of year. Ducks will often clear themselves of any by preening and during moult but there is a mite powder that we can put in their house and on their feathers to help. Mite powder is lethal to cats!!!! WHAT? So going to monitor situation closely and maybe treat house, straw and WIR as cat does not have access.

Has anyone used this powder stuff (red mite powder) before and still have a cat to tell the tale?

JJ

[Tutti Frutti]

JJ, it's anything containing PERMETHRIN that's toxic to cats hth

[donald]

Hi

 

I do use mite powder in the chicken area but not on the ducks. Mites will usually live close to the skin for food and warmth so I would still have a good look in their coats. As the bug in question was on the feather seems strange it wasnt in the coat with the rest of its friends.

 

They are very common in chickens & more so vigilence is needed, but wouldnt say so in ducks but just check their coats. I think Chicken lady in farm shop is more chicken. But hey ho I could be incorrect.

 

good luck better to take action to prevent spread etc

 

Donald

[jayjay]

it's anything containing PERMETHRIN

 

Thanks for that I will have a look on the tin. I am really unsure about using this stuff with the cat in the same county but was assured that it's ok as long as the cat doesn't ingest and is kept in whilst application is taking place.

 

Donald - do you have a cat? Am I worrying too much (as usual??)

JJ

[Tutti Frutti]

I have three cats and I've just cleaned the cube with Nettex Total Mite Kill and dusted the girls with Johnson's Anti-Mite powder (or whatever it's called!), both of which contain Permethrin.

 

My cats are fine - just as daft as ever The cube and WIR are 10m away at the end of the garden and the cats don't bother to go up there too often...

 

If you've seen mites or lice, I'd say you need permethrin to kill them. Stuff that doesn't contain it is great as a preventative but poss not as a cure (eg Diatomaceious Earth (sp?!), Barrier Lice/Mite powders etc).

 

HTH

 

ETA sorry, seem to have strayed into the Ducks board!

[jayjay]

Thanks for re-assurance. Just been dusting the girls down with their powder - they were not happy and looked a real sight! Have done house etc too so here's hoping that should be it. Cat been confined to quarters for the evening. Poor wee souls have hardly a feather left to put powder on they have been moulting badly today - grass looks like a bird graveyard. They have also been like a little pair of klingons today hardly moving from the step and trying to get in at every chance Any ideas why they are so clingy? OH thinks its because they have lost their wing feathers and would be unable to fly so are just looking for some protection?