Do you treat a new coop?

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I have a new chicken coop already for when my chicks are big enough to live in it. I'm just wondering that even though it is new should I treat it with any red mite prevention or anything else before the chickens actually go in there?
 
Creosote - the proper stuff! It takes 2-3 weeks to dry thoroughly even in this weather though
 
Ok thankyou, they won't be going outside for a few weeks yet so that gives me time to get sorted 0:-)
 
i assume it's a wooden coop? when the creosote has dried, sprinkle redmite powder wherever two surfaces join, eg ends of perches, and places where roof meets walls etc, and in the nestboxes, even if the chicks won't be using them yet.

If plastic, no need to do anything except sprinkle powder, and line floor with newspaper for easy removal of droppings.
 
Sound advice. You may struggle finding creosote though. It is not allowed to be sold to the general public -only agricultural businesses. Bartoline make it and agricultural stores sell it in 20 litre drums for £30 odd. Creocote -the new less toxic stuff is sold widely, comes in 5 litre bottles but isn't so effective (or so toxic) to apply against red mite.
You could forget the treatment until you have a problem, as some people have never had red mite. Just dust as Marigold describes. Creosote isn't effective forever anyway, two years generally I understand, so on balance I think I would not treat the coop yet. Our one freshly creosoted second hand coop got red mite two years afterwards anyway, which demonstrates my point.
 
I treat all my new houses as a preventative measure before the birds move in.
 
The effects of creosote will last a year at most then needs renewing. Still the most effective treatment in my experience.
 
CREOSOTE?!!!?!!! :-)11 :shock: :shock: :shock:
I have never used it before, but if its so toxic, what about the poor chickens?! I wouldnt like to live in a house painted with stinky, toxic stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
E3lx said:
CREOSOTE?!!!?!!! :-)11 :shock: :shock: :shock:
I have never used it before, but if its so toxic, what about the poor chickens?! I wouldnt like to live in a house painted with stinky, toxic stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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There are a lot of options available, I prefer to use an insecticide with residual effect to work as a preventative measure to protect my birds. Some people use creosote historically as probably one of the most effective systems to prevent red mite. The evidence suggests that there is a link between cancer and creosote, however this is only a causal link therefore the conclusion as to risk is not difinitive. Based on this the decision was made to only allow creosote distribution to professional tradesmen as a precautionary measure.
Most aggressive treatments of redmite need care in application, even a too enthusiastic application of diatom can cause chooks problems, so in summary reading instructions and proper application of products is the best approach as well as lots of research into which method suits you best :-)17
 
i still prefer plastic! None of these chemical maintenance problems. And if you don't have a spare coop, what do you do with the chickens during the 3 weeks or so you're waiting foir the toxicity to reduce?
 
I don't think i'm going to be able to get hold of creosote anyway, the wood the coop is made from is already supposed to be treated but I'd rather give it a going over with a preservative just be sure. Does it have to be a powder specifically for red mite that you use, I have been looking at the diatomaceous earth is that any good?

Thanks for all the advice :)
 
Hmmm.. ok. But remember that most powders are only deterents iirc. Creosote does a "proper job" when added to putting powder in their dust baths. (jmho)

The carsonogenic risk that was amplified by a good bit of scaremongering caused the legislation that made the manufacturers down grade the strength and change the spelling in the name iirc. Preserves the wood and should be used once a year (so I'm told ;) )

The local farmers co-op will sell it too you... It works for me and my second head and fourth arm ! :D

(EDIT:- btw... I treat the wood and the birds are back in after a week of warm weather and have been non the worse..... 2 years from now I'll eat them if no further limbs apear)
 
AngelPie said:
Does it have to be a powder specifically for red mite that you use, I have been looking at the diatomaceous earth is that any good?

Thanks for all the advice :)
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I've always assumed that redmite powder is diatomaceous earth with some kind of insecticide included to improve its effectiveness.
 
Marigold said:
AngelPie said:
Does it have to be a powder specifically for red mite that you use, I have been looking at the diatomaceous earth is that any good?

Thanks for all the advice :)
Click to expand...

I've always assumed that redmite powder is diatomaceous earth with some kind of insecticide included to improve its effectiveness.
Click to expand...

Worth noting that all powders are not equal...some have a repellent action and are not DE (diatomaceous earth) so therefore not effective for a redmite outbreak.

Mixing DE into a "slurry" with added washing up liquid and water then painting into nooks and crannies works well, plus keeps the dust levels down, whilst the washing up liquid will work as a degreasant.
 
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