Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[freya_chick]

Hi

 

I think, for the first time in over four years, we've got red mite in the eglu - at least I presume that's what they are - a seething mass of tiny black bugs that go red when squeezed - never had them before. Now, how to get rid of them? I already use diatamous earth underneath the poop tray, in the poop tray and around the eglu. I've always done thorough clean outs - so take the eglu to pieces every time and jet wash it. I did it last Monday, found all the bugs, so gave it an extra thorough cleanout but when I've opened the house today, they're all back - and there's loads of the blighters!

 

What else can I try to get rid of them? Is there anything that could be causing them? We treated the chooks with Johnson's anti-mite spray last week too. What signs should I be looking out that the girls themselves are ailing?

 

Thanks

 

Freya

[Sandychick]

That does sound very much like red mite. I think it is a bad year for them as I had this for the first time earlier this year too. First thing is to be very pleased you have an eglu as it is much easier to get rid of than in a wooden house

 

After a good jet wash, I used Barrier red mite powder and scattered it (quite liberally!) on the roosting bars, in the nest box and in all the joins of the eglu. This really made a difference. I also put it in the hens dust bath so they can dust themselves in it. I then checked every morning and used red mite spray directly on the few red mite that reappeared. They were all gone in 2 weeks, and I now just use the red mite powder as a preventative.

 

I hope you manage to get rid of them