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Mites

10 replies

Munchkin08 · 09/07/2016 10:37

2 of my chickens have died - could it be mites?
I keep putting powder on them but today when I collected the eggs there was small brown mites on them. Can anyone give me some help on how to get rid of these?

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Ditsy4 · 15/07/2016 05:37

Watching this thread. Been checking my chickens about every week and found some yesterday. Long, thin,brown ones very similar looking to nits. I I have tried a couple of places eg where I buy feed and pets area big garden place to no avail. Would they sell it at the vets?

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Ditsy4 · 15/07/2016 05:38

Sorry you lost two chickens:(

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cowssheephens · 15/07/2016 05:49

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH will help solve mite problems.

My DH uses an old Ikea bag. Place the chicken in the bag, keep the head out and rub this stuff into them until completely covered. Also put some around the coop. You should also wear mouth mask when using due to the dust. Hope this helps

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Ditsy4 · 15/07/2016 07:05

Ooh thank you. Where does he get it from? :) I have an old IKEA bag. DH has been cleaning out the shed!

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ItchyChicken · 15/07/2016 09:48

I was just coming on to ask for similar advice!

We definitely have a mite infestation (and have had for a year...though none of ours have died). They infest the coop and live in the cracks in the wood, not on the chicken. We've managed to keep on top of it by spraying the coop with Mite Kill everytime we clean them out. We've taken the coop apart and tried to kill the mites with a blow torch over any join, but the buggers keep coming back!

We've just hatched some chicks, and are keeping them separate for the time being, but have just bought a new coop as we don't want to put them in a mite infested coop. I've heard that creosote painted on the inside of the coop prevents/kills them, but wanted to ask if anyone has had any experience with it. Does it have to be the old creosote, or will the new substitute do? Any recommendations as to how long to leave it to dry?

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cowssheephens · 16/07/2016 00:52

My DH buys it from Amazon and also puts some in their favourite dust bath.

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Ditsy4 · 16/07/2016 18:38

I made them a dust bath. I cut down one of those plastic trugs that handles had broken. Cut a piece down so they could get in and out easily and put soil and wood ash ( heard they liked it and good for mites) and felt quite pleased with my self. Buggers don't use it. They would rather make their own in the newly dug bit of garden! Chickens!

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bomfunk · 16/07/2016 18:39

You can also use 'frontline' or similar - Like what you'd use on cats/dogs think you have to not eat the eggs for a couple of days