Pony Girl
New member
Can anyone recommend Diatom or Barrier Louse Powder (organic) as a preventative red mite / louse powder to add to bedding / dustbaths?
Thanks
Thanks
Diatom or Barrier Louse Powder?
- Thread starter Pony Girl
- Start date
elmwood
New member
Hi PG,
I use both. Only the other day I bathed one of our girlies bums and powdered her with louse powder.
It smells lovely.
I use Diatom in their house, generously applying to the bedding and in all the nooks and crannies, along with rubbing it along their perch. As I have not yet had any "crawly" problems, I guess its a good preventative measure. I am paranoid about red mite though, and in the height of last summer, sprayed the coop with anti-red mite, this year I will also use a smoke bomb (periodically). Better to be safe than sorry.
I know some people on here put it in dust baths & food- but my girls move along and find a diatom free place to bathe.
I found the puffer was excellent for spreading it up the sides of the coop, but found it extremely difficult to refil. So I now use a tub, but much prefer the puffer.
Hope this helps.
I use both. Only the other day I bathed one of our girlies bums and powdered her with louse powder.
It smells lovely.
I use Diatom in their house, generously applying to the bedding and in all the nooks and crannies, along with rubbing it along their perch. As I have not yet had any "crawly" problems, I guess its a good preventative measure. I am paranoid about red mite though, and in the height of last summer, sprayed the coop with anti-red mite, this year I will also use a smoke bomb (periodically). Better to be safe than sorry.
I know some people on here put it in dust baths & food- but my girls move along and find a diatom free place to bathe.
I found the puffer was excellent for spreading it up the sides of the coop, but found it extremely difficult to refil. So I now use a tub, but much prefer the puffer.
Hope this helps.
victorias poultry
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Hi
I like the barrier powder and it smells lovely also which is a bonus.
I like the barrier powder and it smells lovely also which is a bonus.
foxy
Active member
One thing to bear in mind is although they look the same, Barrier Louse powder is a "repellant" whereas Diatom (diatomaceous earth)will actually cause death to the mite by dissication over a day or two. 
Pony Girl
New member
Thanks, guys. 17
17Aileen
New member
Should I be using Louse powder too?? I am using poultry shield for cleaning and diatom throughout coop? And I stick it in their dust bath which they use.....
And how the hell do u dust a chickens bum?!?! :lol:
A x
And how the hell do u dust a chickens bum?!?! :lol:
A x
elmwood
New member
Hi Aileen,
Sounds like you are on top of things. I don't think it would be necessary to use louse powder, given what you are already using.
The only reason I use Louse powder alongside Diatom and Poultry Shield, is because I bought it from the off . As for powdering their bums, I regularly inspect my girls bums for lice. I literally turn them upside down, supporting their bodies and wings between my knees. This gives great access to their bums. I can then use both my gloved hands to search through the fluff n feathers for any nasties, and after inspection, puff in the powder. Plus it put some under their wings.
I find holding them between my knees means they are secure and do not wriggle. They don't seem any worse the wear for the ordeal. I then give them a cuddle and a few corn niblets.
Sounds like you are on top of things. I don't think it would be necessary to use louse powder, given what you are already using.
The only reason I use Louse powder alongside Diatom and Poultry Shield, is because I bought it from the off . As for powdering their bums, I regularly inspect my girls bums for lice. I literally turn them upside down, supporting their bodies and wings between my knees. This gives great access to their bums. I can then use both my gloved hands to search through the fluff n feathers for any nasties, and after inspection, puff in the powder. Plus it put some under their wings.
I find holding them between my knees means they are secure and do not wriggle. They don't seem any worse the wear for the ordeal. I then give them a cuddle and a few corn niblets.
Lucylou
New member
Hi elmwood,
Have always had a problem trying to handle the chooks when attempting to examine them. Up to now I've always got hubby to hold her whilst I look!
When you say you turn them upside down supporting them, where is her head? Just trying to get the picture!!! :? Do you sit down to do this?
In that TV series "Living The Good Life" or whatever it was called when Sue & whatsisname tried to be self sufficient, they had some chooks. To examine them they literally held the chook by its legs & turned her upside down in mid-air. Not sure if this was really the best way!
Your way sounds easier.
Have always had a problem trying to handle the chooks when attempting to examine them. Up to now I've always got hubby to hold her whilst I look!
When you say you turn them upside down supporting them, where is her head? Just trying to get the picture!!! :? Do you sit down to do this?
In that TV series "Living The Good Life" or whatever it was called when Sue & whatsisname tried to be self sufficient, they had some chooks. To examine them they literally held the chook by its legs & turned her upside down in mid-air. Not sure if this was really the best way!
Your way sounds easier.
elmwood
New member
Hi LucyLou,
Maybe its easier for me to handle my girls because they are smaller?
I picked up this from my poultry lady, whom I had my original 3 pekins from. It works for me, and I did check with Tim whether this was ok for the birds..... he reckoned he handles his in many uncompromising ways.
I got my OH to take some piccys, just to demonstrate. Mollie was none the worse for wear, had a cuddle and a treat and off she went. As you can see I have plenty of meat on my thighs, and the girls fit ok. :roll:
I was quite taken aback by the way Sue and Giles held their chickens- I would never hold my girls by the feet, and my understanding is you shouldn't! I felt sorry for the hens, they seemed to be stressed at every encounter....09
Hop this helps to give a clearer picture.....
Maybe its easier for me to handle my girls because they are smaller?
I picked up this from my poultry lady, whom I had my original 3 pekins from. It works for me, and I did check with Tim whether this was ok for the birds..... he reckoned he handles his in many uncompromising ways.
I got my OH to take some piccys, just to demonstrate. Mollie was none the worse for wear, had a cuddle and a treat and off she went. As you can see I have plenty of meat on my thighs, and the girls fit ok. :roll:
I was quite taken aback by the way Sue and Giles held their chickens- I would never hold my girls by the feet, and my understanding is you shouldn't! I felt sorry for the hens, they seemed to be stressed at every encounter....
09Hop this helps to give a clearer picture.....
Aileen
New member
Fab! I will give it a go with my smaller ladies - 2 pekins and a Silver Spangled Hamburg.
Any suggestions for my big momma's - A Cuckoo Maran and a massive Light sussex.... N :lol:
Any suggestions for my big momma's - A Cuckoo Maran and a massive Light sussex.... N :lol:
Lucylou
New member
Thanks Elmwood, certainly looks easy your way but looks can be deceiving 
I will give it a go but as mine are LF their wings are quite strong & I have to make sure they're held firmly or they flap them till they're free!! 
And if I let go of the wings I haven't a spare hand left to examine them - get the picture :?
The only person I've seen up close examine a chook is the vet, he has no problem, but when I try....19
I will give it a go but as mine are LF their wings are quite strong & I have to make sure they're held firmly or they flap them till they're free!! And if I let go of the wings I haven't a spare hand left to examine them - get the picture :? The only person I've seen up close examine a chook is the vet, he has no problem, but when I try....
19