Mrs

[keyhole kate]

Very late last night I spotted mummy & chicks still in the run so I went out & put them into bed thought no more of it until tonight when again she was sitting in the corner of the run with the chicks I suddenly had a checked the nest box area only to find it infested with red mite It is a wooden coop I feel realy bad I didn't think of it last night. Tonight they are safely asleep in my spare without the run though until I can sort it out tommorow but at least there not being bitten

[mimi5]

Arggh!!! Horrid little besties!! I have my chicks in a wooden coop and cleaned it out and checked for red mite today.......very worried about finding them!! Poor you, but atleast you know they'll be snug and safe in your eglu!!! Well done for figuring it out.

[Redwing]

Dont feel bad, broodies and mums with chicks are a magnet for red mite, its all that body heat.

 

Remember to treat the coop now and in a few days time to break the life cycle of the mites

[keyhole kate]

Thanks Tasha

Luckily I have just bought 10kg of diatom it's had a good dusting tonight tbh I am tempted just to burn it even though it's quite new no wonder mummy hen is looking very pale can you suggest what would be a good tonic to build her up

[Redwing]

Dont burn the coop just keep treating it till all mites are gone, a hot water bottle wrapped in kitchen roll and left in the nestbox for half an hour will tell you if there are mites in there

 

Lifeguard is a good tonic or the Nettex version which comes in smaller bottles and is cheaper overall is quite good

[keyhole kate]

Thanks Tasha

I knew I could count on you lifeguard ordered

[superkitty]

Don't feel bad, it can happen to anyone. The only thing I'd say is that diatom is a preventative not a treatment as far as I know. So if you already have red mite, you need to treat the coop with something like Total Mite Kill regularly until they're gone, then maybe the diatom after that, as a preventative? I may be wrong (still new to this ) but just thought I'd mention it. Good luck