The Poultry Keeper

Bhindi · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:59 am Post subject:

Hi Paul,
Do not be put off getting chickens because of red mite, that would be like not getting in a car again, because people die in them.

There are also Many chicken owners who do not experience red mite, (thus far I am one of them & I have kept them for almost 5 years)

The pleasure you get from chicken keeping is quite incredible. You would be missing out if you change your mind.

Regarding the advice, the best way to learn is to read these forums its jam packed full of advice, and then after that ask as many questions as you need, we are very patient here, and remember we were all beginners once.

Welsh Duck · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:36 am Post subject:

I agree with you Bhindi. If you are worried about it, you can spray the perch sockets regularly with mite spray, as this is where they would start.

granty · Joined: 25 Mar 2008 Posts: 8 Location: gloucester

hi every body thanks for the reply, i think you all have helped me to make up my mind, i will still be going ahead with chooks, i expect will be back on forum soon for more advise,cheers paul Laughing

Danjwright · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 28

I've been told that gloss paint or bath sealer or something on all the cracks in the house is a good precautionary measure. Has anyone tried this?
I also read that you can put mite powder in dustbaths. Good idea or not?
Is a preventative dusting of mite powder when they are cleaned out also a good precaution to take?

eileencampbell · Joined: 28 Nov 2007 Posts: 11 Location: gwynedd

HI THERE WE HAVE GOT THE FICAM .CAN ANYONE TELL US WHAT THE DILUTION RATE IS?

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 2089 Location: norfolk

5 litres of water I think. It tells you on the packet.

UG123 · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 53 Location: Nth. lincolnshire

Oh Dear. so far i've been lucky,i've kept chickens for four years and not had any pests, but as i was cleaning out the chookhouse today, i discovered a couple of clusters of mites; aaaaaarrrrgghhh they're horrible!!!! Mad

i'm gonna get some powder or spray tomorrow, but for now, is it safe to use Jeyes fluid, or will it harm the chickens??? and will it work??? Confused

as its fairly sunny right now, and the coop will dry out, i've massacred the ones i could see with boiling water, Twisted Evil

as i've done with ants before, but i want to get rid of as many as possible as soon as possible. the hens sem perfectly healthy, so i don't think they've been there long, but i'm NOT HAPPY about this!!! especially since, reading some of the stuff on here they seem difficult to get rid of
oh, and one more thing; do they bite people??? i'm paranoidly itching at the thought Shocked

dang...