Dusting Chickens for Mites

Chickens occasionally have external parasites such as mites or lice. If the chickens have never been exposed to mites, they are unlikely to have them, however, wild birds can bring in lice and mites to your chickens especially if your birds are free range. In order to control them, you will have to treat both the birds and the coop and nesting areas for mites. Treating just the birds will not destroy the mites and you will have the problem even after you dust the chickens.

Things You'll Need

telephone
chickens
insecticide dust for treating chickens
insecticide for treating nesting areas and coop
area to house chickens while treating nesting areas

Step 1

Contact your state agricultural office for recommendations on insecticide dust that is safe for chickens as well as insecticide for spraying around coops and nesting areas (pesticide recommendations change frequently, so it is best to contact them rather than rely on outdated recommendations in books or on the Internet). Contact a veterinarian or poison control specialist to be sure that the two insecticides will not be harmful when mixed.

Step 2

Move your chickens from their current nesting areas.

Step 3

Clean out all old nesting material and follow the instructions on the insecticide for treating the coop and nests.

Step 4

Follow instructions on insecticide and apply to coop and nesting boxes.

Step 5

Follow instructions on mite dust and treat chickens.

Step 6

Add clean straw and litter to the coop and nesting areas.

Step 7

Move chickens back in their coop.

Warnings

Always contact a veterinarian or poison control specialist for recommendations regarding insecticides both on the chickens and in the coop. Mixing certain chemicals may be hazardous for your chickens and your health.

Always follow labels and instructions on insecticides.

In case of accidental ingestion, inhalation or contact with skin or eyes, contact the poison control center immediately.

Reference

Storey's Guide to Raising Poultry, Leonard S. Mercia, 2001.

ABC of Poultry Raising, J. H. Florea, 1975.