Chicken bald back

[Egluntyne]

I quite like the sound of this. ~CLICK~

 

If it doesn't work, at least the Eglu will smell nice.

[Bramble]

That's really interesting, thank you for that Egluntyne - I had my first "outbreak" of red mite last year and was quite surprised how persistent the little wotsits were - so I think I shall go and make up this recipe and see what happens!!! Citronella is also great for keeping flies away from the Eglu and run so multi purpose!!!!

[mullethunter]

Creating???!

[Olly]

Treating!

 

Edited to add: isn't it weird how changing one letter changes the whole word - even adding an extra syllable.

 

This looks really interesting, I've got all those in the cupboard so I may have a go.

[Egluntyne]

Darned autocorrect!

[Alis girls]

Well I read Holistically as hysterically - I have visions of poultry keepers like myself sobbing and gnashing teeth whilst spraying wildly in all directions I need a strong drink and a new pair of specs - in that order

[Chickabee]

Terrible waste of vodka I say

 

Seriously though, it does sound good. I've got some essential oils somewhere, just need to find them (mid move)

[Luvachicken]

I'm going to make some of that

Can I use Bacardi ?

I have some of the other stuff for a fly repellent someone once suggested.

[Bramble]

The only thing that puzzles me, is it says mix it all in a LARGE spray bottle (with a bit of alcohol) - why LARGE - 5 or 10 drops of all of those isn't going to amount to very much - am I supposed to put water in as well - it would be a very strong solution if it was "neat"?

 

I make a DIY fly spray with citronella and eucalyptus and mix that with water, so wonder if the same should happen here?

 

(I did notice the creating rather than treating - but didn't want to nit pick as it's such a useful post!!! )

[Alis girls]

I would be inclined to drink the alcohol if I found red mite. Bit worried my hens would too surely if you are spraying that around my 2 are nosey little b-----s and would be there "whats that??" - i might give it a whirl. Where do I get thyme oil. Have got the others.

[Bramble]

I'd got all the others too, just ordered some thyme oil from ebay!

[furball]

Thankyou for the link. Definately going to give this a try. To echo Bramble ,do you top the spray bottle up with water?

[Lewis]

I did my Undergrad Dissertation on the efficacy of treating Red Mite with Essential Oils

 

Neem, Thyme and Garlic essential oils are great for killing mites.

I used 5 essential oils at 9 combinations/concentrations and managed to kill 100% Red Mite in lab trials but the problem with essential oils is that they're volatile (evaporate) by their very nature and so need regular treatment in a real coop situation.

 

 

Be interested to hear how you get on!

[The Dogmother]

Scary photo Lewis - did you itch after looking at them?

 

In the summer, I spray the Aubiose in the housing and run with water mixed with drops of citronella, eucalyptus and tea tree oils as a fly deterrent, it seems to work. I also dab those oils on an old terracotta plant pot in front of the run; the heat makes those evaporate and waft around.

 

As Lewis said, I don;t think that the amounts we use in a domestic environment will kill them, but they certainly act as a deterrent, much as the similar oils in Barrier's red mite powder.

[bokbok87]

Great post will definitely be trying this one out!

I've got some old mint flavoured vodka lying around the house somewhere which will do!