Thursday, April 25, 2013

Mites and Lice

One of our hens just died the other day from, we assume, mites and lice. We're usually pretty good at checking them all for this, but we've been super busy and just got back a week ago. The bugs that chickens get are harmless to people, dogs, cats, and such. They will eventually kill a bird though, the poor things worry themselves to death. For a while I had thought that since we hadn't been around any other chickens that they would be fine. However, the bugs are usually transmitted from pigions and any other birds that get in the coop.

It's pretty simple to prevent your poultry from this tragedy:
  • Regular dirt/dust baths(chickens love these) really help, but will not completely keep the pests off
  • If you do find bugs on them(they can be found under the wings and/or around the bird's vent) spraying for about 5 days with Adams Flea and Tick spray will kill them. The first and second spray exterminate them, then the next sprays get the eggs that hatch.
  • Ash from a fire pit or fireplace helps.
  • Sevin dust(like for your gardens and veggies) is great. Apply it under the wings and vent just like the spray.
  • Other dog and cat treatments work as well.
And that's basically it.

kk

2 comments:

  1. Please do not use "Sevin" on your chickens. Google it and see all the bad things that can pass on to you if you eat the eggs.
    A better thing to use is Skin so Soft (Avon). Just put it in a spray bottle and spray the chickens or spray your hands and run them over the chickens.
    You might also use diatomacous earth (sp ?).
    Christina
    Flair's Fayre

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  2. Thank you for your concern. I understand that this seems worrisome and I was very wary upon reading all of the negative comments and warnings on the container. So, I asked the friend who told me to use it if he was sure. I trust him completely as he has been raising chickens for many years. He's never had any problems with it and neither have we. However, I have heard those(what you suggested) work as well. I didn't post about them because I've never tried them myself. I think I might though.

    kk

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