Doris
Full Member
Posts: 105
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Post by Doris on Jan 13, 2005 19:09:32 GMT
Hi , Hope i put this in the right place Was just wondering if somebody could offer advice upon red mites..what should i use on the housing and on my girls..when should i start as it'll soon be warming up, i have heard much about this problem but really dont know exactly what to do... D xxx
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Post by HYNDBURN HENS on Jan 13, 2005 19:38:06 GMT
Hi, I would suggest that it would be a good idea to silicone any joints in your hen hut.This will stop the little blighters hoiding from you. There are many powders and sprays available.You could also try the hand held blow torches,make sure you dont' set your hut on fire lol and i also believe the stem cleaners do a good job as well..Hope this helps..
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Doris
Full Member
Posts: 105
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Post by Doris on Jan 13, 2005 20:03:43 GMT
Thanks for that...im taking it powders for the hens and spray for the house?? I wouldnt dare let me loose with one of those torches... I'll have a good look at the silicone thing to. D xxx
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Sandy
New Member
Posts: 30
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Post by Sandy on Jan 14, 2005 0:10:01 GMT
Hi Doris
Lice and mites are a big problems in coops and on the birds.. the lice you can see the mites you can't as they usually only come out at night
Here is some information that might be of help to you
You should also be looking at Stick fast fleas... Bed bugs... and Ticks... and also something that is overlooked in chickens is Worming.. very important
The Lice are more prevalent in the colder times of the year, Mites, on the other hand, breed up in the warmer months
Symptoms of infestation Lice - sore, bare skin patches and eczema like areas develop. Broody hens will leave the nest if untreated. Lice - Check the feathers around the vent and under the wings for signs of lice Mites – when you inspect there egg settings and see tiny black dots moving over the eggs.
The birds may demonstrate clinical signs varying from ill thrift, poor production and even mortalities Disease can be caused by direct irritation associated with the parasites, bloods sucking or by other organisms associated with these external parasites (eg. viruses)
A pinch of sulphur per bird in feed on a regular basis will make fowl less prone to parasite infestation of any sort Once or two cloves of garlic per bird, which is rich in sulphur, in water also reduces the risk of parasite infestation
Sulphur can be given in homoeopathic form, too Camphor laurel tree branches used as perches will help repel lice A few Neem leaves placed in the nest will do likewise Bracken can be used as a nest lining as it repels many insect pests Growing tansy, fennel, southernwood, wormwood or stinking Roger plants near the fowl hose may have a permanent deterrent effect
You can also cover the fowl shed with sawdust and shavings from camphor laurel, Oregon and/or other such aromatic, insecticidal timbers
Poor sanitation: Like any pets, chickens must be kept in hygienic conditions. I am not saying that hospital-like cleanliness is required, rather that houses and yards should be kept clean of old manure and waste food, and that the floors must be kept dry.
The most common source of parasites is new birds brought in from other places. Obviously, chickens are the main carriers of chicken parasites, so it is important to quarantine for a few weeks, all new stock before introducing them to your main flock.
Even taking all these precautions, sometimes the nasties can slip through anyway, most commonly carried by wild birds such as sparrows or starlings and pests such as rats and mice.
Treatment: Apply an insecticidal powder, herbal brew or spray directly onto infestations of lice, ticks, fleas or mites. Apply while holding birds upside down by the legs. You could always try and hypnotise them by laying them on their back, gently stroke from the beak down the breastbone until they are very quiet. You will then be able to apply the powder or spray.
Put down a sheet of newspaper to catch the powder. When dusting or spraying, pay particular attention to the areas under the wings and around the vent. Repeat after a week or two. If spraying, NEVER spray at night, NEVER spray on a cold day, your birds will get chilled and may die
You can try dusting the birds with wood ash, or with dried and powdered aromatic herbs, such as rosemary, with equal parts of wormwood (a good combination)
Commercial products include derris dust or rotenone powder. Insecticidal essential oil, pyrethrum or quassia solution can also be sprayed
I have a lot more information if you would like me to send it to you
Sandy
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Diane
Junior Member
Posts: 62
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Post by Diane on Jan 15, 2005 17:05:32 GMT
Another treatment is - Barrier red mite powder. Dust hen liberally - about once a month - and sprinkle on bedding and in the house too. A product for spraying directly into the henhouse (it's a safe product) is Poultry Shield. I think they have a website (just try Google). This worked for me, plus the powder. Redmites are a killer - nocturnal little blood sucking blighters that will appear as soon as the weather warms up - so whatever method you choose then it's best to be prepared well in advance.
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Sandy
New Member
Posts: 30
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Post by Sandy on Jan 17, 2005 1:27:17 GMT
Hi Doris
I replied to your PM.. but haven't heard back from you as yet
Sandy
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Post by ROBERT on Jan 19, 2005 0:51:26 GMT
I suppose putting somthing like "vapona" in the hen house to kill mites and lice is a bad Idea. I know you cant use it with reptiles (kills them as well as the lice) and birds are supposed to only a small step up the evolutionary chain so, I imagine, it may kill our hens to. Anyone know for sure? Robert
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