Dettol versus poultry shield

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When I got my coop,I dusted some diatom on perches and also puffed it into cracks etc before i put my ex-batts in the coop,this was the start of september.After that,once a week i scrubbed their coop out using poultry shield(10% solution),puffing a small amount of diatom into cracks etc.
I was very shocked at the mites that appeared in october,and,Girlracer mentioned using Dettol.I also remembered Snifter mentioning that she found dettol more effective than poultry shield.
So over a week ago now,I scrubbed their house with Dettol,I did dilute it, 1/2 pint dettol mixed with 1.5 pints of water.
Haven't seen a mite since :D .
Really pleased they appear to be dead/dormant/left,will carry on using dettol and rubbing diatom onto perches and puffing it into corners.
 
Hello

I've had my hens for 1 week now and so far haven't noticed any kind of mites or other lurgy bothering them other than the sickly hen I inherited. It's pay day on Friday so was planning to buy some stuff to make sure they stay pest free. I think I'll add dettol to the list!

while in the local animal feed shop I saw stuff to out on the birds and stuff to put in the hen houses. I was planning on using both. Anyone got any tips to help keep my hens mite free?

Osric
 
hi Osric,

I wouldn't actually dust your hens with a product unless they've got a problem.With the ones that you dust on the chooks,the majority will kill mites,lice and fleas.They usually contain permethrin(prob spelt that wrong)which is a powerfull insecticide,like Battles Louse powder.It is a good idea to sprinkle some in with their dust bath sand so they will dust themselves.Others will be a natural type remedy,using herbs etc that 'bugs' don't like,so would possibly be a good deterrant,but,if your chooks actually have an infestation of something it is probably quicker/more effective to treat with an insecticidal type powder.
I did get a problem with red mites,which Dettol does seem to have controlled,so I will buy Dettol in preferance to poultry shield in future.
Red mites thrive better in the summer,so shouldn't be a major problem in winter,would probably be better to check for them but not treat the birds unnless you've spotted the mites.
There is a very good article on PoultryKeeper Website by Tim,you can follow the link at the bottom of the page to PK website and find the article.

It would certainly be a good idea to buy a few supplies in,so you've got them handy when you do need them,I bought some gentian violet that i haven't had to use yet,hopefully I wont.
I would suggest:-
Dettol
Diacom
Gentian Violet
VermX
There are lots of other products,but,you will need to decide if and when to get them.I don't have anti-pecking spray,so far haven't need it.A lot of ppl do buy these type of products though,as well as many others,and,it certainly doesn't hurt to have a few usefull products in your cupboard.
 
Anti pecking spray?

Does that stop from pecking themselves or other hens? My bantams are getting some grief but a new enclosure just for them should solve that!

Osric
 
It will discourage them from pecking themselves and other birds,birds like parrotts are notorious for pecking themselves if they're bored.Chickens could also peck their feathers when kept enclosed and each other.Sometimes they will peck feathers and then eat them,if you notice that an increase of protein in their diet should cure it.
 
Anti Pecking Spray is really only to put them off bullying another chicken in the short term - if they are pecking through boredom, it's really better to fix the problem or they will just start pecking a different area that wasn't sprayed as much with the spray. Some people hang CDs and provide lots of greens, I think more space / time out free ranging is the best cure to boredom.

If they are pecking during the moult, it can be due to a lack of protein as Lydia says.
 
They've had plenty of cabbage and other treats since I got them

Other than giving them mince, is there anything I can give them to increase their protein intake?

Sorry about the basic question but I'm still new to this!
 
Yes, many people give dried cat food crumbled and moistened to increase protein levels just before and during a moult. This contains the all important animal protein. Dog food is not suitable as the protein is derived from cereals.

Strictly speaking, not Defra approved... but then are worms in the garden vegetarian :roll:
 
I swear by Dettol for a long while now. I only use it in summer, once a fortnight or so and scrub the hen house out with it in hot water. Good rinse, leave to dry and chooks can go back in then.

However, I also allow earwigs to take up permanent residence in my hen houses and never kill them or evict them. If scrubbing the hen house out I always save as many as I can from the crevices and pop them all in a jar to put back in the house later. Why you may ask. Well someone once told me that earwigs eat red mite so found keeping them in their housing meant no mites. Since I started doing the same and using Dettol I've not had any red mite infestations at all.

I used Poultry Shield and Diatom and also a few other things but find the above works for me. I also sometimes put Vaseline at the ends of the perches, all round to see if mites are stuck in it in the morning. Will also, if I get an infestation use old fashioned creosote on the hen house but not done this in 3 years now.
 
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