The Poultry Keeper

Attila The Hen · Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 419 Location: Shetland

Okay, this is a new one on me (we never had this problem down south!).

I've got an infestation of Northern Fowl Mite. Well, not personally Wink

, but you know what I mean! Ivermectin hasn't touched them, and whilst aerosol mite sprays intended for cage birds seem to do the trick, they're hellishly expensive, especially now the flock is pushing the 100 bird mark.

I clean out the henny houses weekly, and spray with Poultry Shield, which bless its heart does the trick nicely for any beasties lurking on the woodwork, but it's the mites living in the vental feather areas which need addressing - hence the aerosol sprays.

What I really need is some sort of topical spray I can administer with a backpack sprayer when they're roosting. Deosect? Says it does Red Mite, but not sure about Northern Fowl, and it's bloody dear to try without knowing first if it works.

Any suggestions?

Cheers,

Attila

mojo · Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:01 pm Post subject:

deosects web site should let you ask the firms chemist the question i think ..do try before you buy

jaydee67 · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:56 pm Post subject:

No help - but you have nearly 100 birds now? Hmm - must do some island hopping in the holidays! Wink

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1358 Location: Leicestershire

Acording to Victoria Roberts (Vet from Country Smallholding) you need Eprinex (not licensed for poultry)it is the only thing which kills Northern Fowl Mite, it also does lice and other nasties. Eprinex is a cattle and other livestock bug killer, it is used by dairy farmers as there is no milk withdrawal period and so there is no egg withdrawal either. 3 drops on the back of the neck for an adult bird (I am not a vet, just repeating what has been written by a vet)

Eprinex comes in a rather large container so I would suggest the best people to get a small quantity from is a dairy farmer. Don't use Spot On ar anything else which might be offered if the dairy farmer you happen to ask doesn't use it (they don't all) And don't try and ask someone who farms beef cattle or sheep, they definately wont use Eprinex.

You can get proper droppers from a pharmacist

Itsybitsy Wink

Attila The Hen · Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 419 Location: Shetland

Many thanks for passing that advice on, Itsybitsy. I have a large bottle of it already, and don't know why I haven't tried that - probably complacency as I've got a bottle of Ivermectin to finish. Embarassed

I'll treat the flock this evening.

atb Attila

blackandwhitechicken · Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Cornwall

I asked our neighbouring dairy farmer for Eprimex, but he dosnt have it - too expensive, but offered an alternative cheaper brand. Would this do just as well, didnt get the name, but its blue.
Would love to know, thanks

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1358 Location: Leicestershire

No it wont do as well, please read my other post or buy March edition of Country Smallholding and see what Victoria has to say about it.

Find another dairy farmer Smile

Itsybitsy