red mite in poultry

Re: red mite in poultry

Mark Holmes — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 23:23:49 GMT

I keep chickens and I find liberally dusting the housing with wood ash does a superb job.

Re: red mite in poultry

Mark Rowland — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 22:54:00 GMT

It must be a typo.

........ Goes to bed with a warm glass of chicken milk

Re: red mite in poultry

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 20:19:26 GMT

I have huge respect for Victoria Roberts.

But.

[quote user="Joyce Whitehead"] I think she said that as there was no milk withdrawal time, she took that to mean that eggs would be fine too[/quote]

[quote user="Joyce Whitehead"] I agree that she seemed to think that regular treatment would lead to the mites dying out,[/quote]

I'm prepared to be corrected but that sounds like wishful thinking to me.

Re: red mite in poultry

Joyce Whitehead — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 19:27:15 GMT

I have used Eprinex in poultry too - following a CPD Backyard Poultry talk by Victoria Roberts. I think she said that as there was no milk withdrawal time, she took that to mean that eggs would be fine too (but don't quote me on that). I agree that she seemed to think that regular treatment would lead to the mites dying out, but also recommended diatomaceous earth as well, or a flame gun on areas that would stand it!

Re: red mite in poultry

Mark Rowland — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 16:45:21 GMT

Agreed there are ways which preserve eggeatingability.

These mites have life stages off the host so environmental treatment is a prerequisit.

Im a great fan of diatomaceous earth as well to puff around the houses. You could treat the chickens once with an ivermectin spray and give a 7d egg withhold if you wanted.

F10 environmental spray im told has a 0 egg withhold and contains permethrin.

Goodluck

Re: red mite in poultry

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 16:13:57 GMT

[quote user="Alexa Bardell"]I have in my notes that can use eprinex cattle spot on prep. on chickens for the treatment of red mite but no mention of treating the environment. Has anyone used this as a treatment and do you need environmental treatment too?[/quote]

It seems a risky sort of thing to do, although if experts assure me it's safe I'd accept that. What are you going to advise the owner about eating the eggs? With the Baytril precedent, surely the only safe advice would be "not for a very long time"?

[quote user="Alexa Bardell"]

my understanding was that it was unnecessary as any mites would be killed on contact with the bird and over time environment would be treated als. Does this sound right?

[/quote]

I'm not enough of an expert to give a full scientific explanation, but no, it doesn't sound right.

Whether or not you put Eprinex or something equally unlicensed on the birds, I'd be treating the house thoroughly with something like "Poultry Shield Concentrate"

together with liberal use of diatomaceous earth, especially in the dust baths and nest boxes and puffed up the chickens' underwear. Also looking closely at the houses to eliminate red mite refuges such as felt-covered roofs, even considering abandoning and burning a severely affected house.