This is a
frequent
question asked on the Poultry Help Line Message Board
QUESTION: I
found out that my chickens have feather mites. I wonder what is the
best way for removing them ? I heard that the powder dust will cause
sterility. Is that true?
Sevin Dust in shaker
can
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Sevin Dust in 5 lb. bag
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ANSWER:
No, "Sevin" dust
(Carbaryl powder) will NOT cause sterility and will do chickens no harm
at all. It will, however, quickly rid them of external
parasites. Get some 5% Sevin dust from WalMart's garden center
(or many other places) and dust them
thoroughly, especially around the vent area. It is available in shaker
cans or 5 pound plastic bags which are more economical (about
$8-$10). We use it all the time and
have never had ANY problem. If there is an area in their
pen where they like to take dust
baths, dust it heavily with 10% Sevin dust (if you can find it, or 5%
if you can't) and
sprinkle it around their pen, nest boxes, roosts, etc. You can
also provide them with a dusting pan. Place a suitably sized pan
or even a cardboard box cut to about 2-4" high in a corner of their
pen. Fill it with "play sand" or cat litter or loose dirt and mix
in a couple of pounds of Sevin dust. They'll dust themselves
daily and you'll never have an external parasite problem. After
dusting, your mites will
be gone in a few days.
Pete
|
Treating Mites, Lice and Other
External Parasites
