Red stop
- Thread starter hip chick
- Start date
IT would certainly be worth a try, if you're sure your coop is now free from redmite, as it's likely to be more effective on just a few that may find their way in rather than on a large outbreak. It sounds expensive but as its only used at a very low dilution I'd say it's worth a go.
There's a lot about redmite in the Pests and Predators section near the bottom of the page, with some other ideas to consider as well.
As your Silkies are likely to go broody, do try to catch them early and get them out of the nest boxes if possible, as not only is it very debilitating for them to sit when they haven't got any fertile eggs, but they'll be liable to redmite attack in the boxes in this hot weather. See more in Chickens Health about managing broodies.
There's a lot about redmite in the Pests and Predators section near the bottom of the page, with some other ideas to consider as well.
As your Silkies are likely to go broody, do try to catch them early and get them out of the nest boxes if possible, as not only is it very debilitating for them to sit when they haven't got any fertile eggs, but they'll be liable to redmite attack in the boxes in this hot weather. See more in Chickens Health about managing broodies.
Thank you Marigold. I,m thinking of giving the Red stop a try as it appears to have very good reviews. On the dilution rates given, it would cost around £12 for a 100ml bottle that should last around 2 years for my 4 girls. I have opted for a new plastic coop this time, aswell as reduced numbers of chickens, and using diatomaceous in dustbath areas and in the coop, so hopefully this will all help in keeping the little mites at bay. I will look at the info for broodies too, thanks 
valeriebutterley
New member
Hello hipchick,
Yes, Redstop does work thankfully, I've just used it as the final solution as my girls were really suffering, one very large coop, and a much smaller one not infected, until the little b.....s decided that they had had enough of constant bombardment and decamped to the smaller coop.
Diatom, constant spraying, cleaning, I also resorted to smearing all perch ends with citronella oil, can't stand the smell, but the conbination seems to have worked.
I also do keep up the advised weekly dose of Redstop.
Yes, Redstop does work thankfully, I've just used it as the final solution as my girls were really suffering, one very large coop, and a much smaller one not infected, until the little b.....s decided that they had had enough of constant bombardment and decamped to the smaller coop.
Diatom, constant spraying, cleaning, I also resorted to smearing all perch ends with citronella oil, can't stand the smell, but the conbination seems to have worked.
I also do keep up the advised weekly dose of Redstop.
Thanks Valeriebutterley, I,m definitely going to give it a try as it says it wont harm the birds at all, and as clean as I kept my last coop, I just couldn't keep the little blighters at bay, so want to take all precautions. Good to hear its working for you too
You could be better off now you've got a plastic coop - they don't seem to like plastic as much as wood and of course there are fewer nooks and crannies, and even if you do get them, you can take everything to bits and deal with it more effectively. Several people on here find it's better to make a slurry of diatom and paint it on around perch ends etc, rather than using it as dust, which is dangerous to inhale for both hens and people.
What's your setup like? If you have a roof over the run so wild birds can't sit and preen and shed wild mite from their feathers on to your coop, you'll have a better chance of avoiding them altogether.
What's your setup like? If you have a roof over the run so wild birds can't sit and preen and shed wild mite from their feathers on to your coop, you'll have a better chance of avoiding them altogether.
Marigold im so clean with the chickens their plastic coop is scrubbed inside and out twice a week. The coop is an Eglu so is attached to its own run which has a tarpaulin cover for shade. In the winter their coop will be going into an under cover shed, which just needs smaller mesh on the sides to stop vermin/birds getting in. They spend very little time in the coop/run, and are out in a large garden all day. The problem last time, was I only discovered the mites when they refused to go in their coop at night. By that time I really struggled to get on top of them. Im determined not to be beaten this time
Brilliant, what lucky birds.
You're welcome to come and scrub my kitchen twice a week as well, if you like. It sounds as if it needs it more than your coop does.
You're welcome to come and scrub my kitchen twice a week as well, if you like. It sounds as if it needs it more than your coop does.
