chicken ala borax?

[pathwayholding]

Anyone ever tried borax to prevent or get rid of mites? I read that you can use it around the coop safely. Would you assume "around the coop" means around the perimeter of the coop or flung "around" the inside of the coop or both? How about mixed in their dust bath?

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[momma_to_seven_chi]

I know you can use borax on carpets to kill fleas without hurting dogs or humans. I use to use it every year before Frontline was invented.

As far as mites (or worms), I just use ivermectin. It works on hogs, goats, chickens, rabbits.......... I just did my chickens. I do them 2-3 times a year to prevent any parasites.

[pathwayholding]

Ivermectin? Can you still eat their eggs for a while after applying? Can you mix it into their bedding?

Thanks momma. (Are you momma to seven children or seven chickens?)

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[momma_to_seven_chi]

I am Mommy to 7 chihuahuas *5LGDs and 4 (human) kids

I am hatching all my eggs right now, so I didn't use the eggs. I wasn't afraid of the eggs, but I just hatch all that I can when the prices are up for chicks/fertile eggs. I actually just put a drop of ivomec into each chicken's beak one at a time (all 80+ of them). I don't do chicks until they are all feathered out and at least a couple of pounds. I don't put it in the bedding, but some people put it in the water. I use the cattle ivomec, but you could use horse wormer paste or swine ivomec too.

They use ivermectin in humans all over the world for worms, so I assume you could eat the eggs. *There is no withdrawal period for ivermectin in cow milk, goat milk, or meat. Chickens should be the same. I have never heard of an ivermectin withdrawal period because it is a human drug. It's the same drug they use to prevent heartworms in dogs.(HeartGuard)

[Anon001]

I think you can also use piperazine.

[fancyfowl]

Piperazine is relativly safe but doesnt get most parasites. We dosed all the birds with Ivomec and out af a couple hundred 3-4 would die every year, almost always the best ones too. Go figure.

[Anon001]

You're right. I think piperazine was just for deworming and nothing for external parasites.

[momma_to_seven_chi]

I think you can also use piperazine.

I didn't know that killed mites. I know they use it for roundworms. You taught me something.

I have heard people use DE too, but have never tried it.

[Anon001]

I didn't know that killed mites. *I know they use it for roundworms. You taught me something.

I have heard people use DE too, but have never tried it.

It doesn't kill mites, just internal worms. I wasn't thinking when I posted that...

[bookwormom]

we used woodashes for what my mother called chicken lice. put the ashes where they take dust baths. and inside the coop mother used white wash made of hydrated lime and water and brushed it on the roost and where ever. It was cheap and effective. so far I have not done it because there was no need yet and I hope that stays that way. We have saved several five gallon buckets of wood ashes for whatever comes along, from chicken mites to cabbage loopers. we do add DE to feed periodically. Hope you get the problem under control.

[pathwayholding]

Thanks to all. *

I haven't actually seen any parasites but I read the red mite is microscopic. *I dusted the chickens the other day with stuff from Tractor Supply without even doing any research on it. *(So unlike me.) *I did call the 1-800 number to make sure we can still eat the eggs. *I'm really not even sure if what I've got is a picking or parasite problem. *Maybe even a moult?

edited to add: How do you all dust them? I put the powder in an old nylon section and tapped them with it. It worked really well...better than when I tried just shaking the container like you would parmesan cheese. That first chicken probably got enough dust for 100 chickens. Poor gal.
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