For Itchiness and Other Discomforts in Chickens, Horses, and Dogs

Finecto+ Method for Chickens

Against Red Mites, Feather Lice, and Scaly Leg Mites

 

The Finecto+ method for chickens is based on the behavior of red mites but is also applicable to scaly leg mites and feather mites. It involves a comprehensive approach, consisting of four different actions.

Red Mites in Chickens

Chickens can suffer greatly from red mites, also known as blood mites. Both terms refer to the same ectoparasite, which can cause some confusion. Here’s the distinction: a louse has 6 legs, while a mite has 8. The red mite/blood mite has 8 legs, so it is classified as a mite, not a louse.

Feather Lice in Chickens

In addition to red mites, feather lice are a common ectoparasite in chickens. The key difference is that feather lice feed on the proteins found in the chicken’s feathers rather than sucking blood. Unlike red mites, feather lice are easier to see with the naked eye. They do not leave the chicken and are thus visible during the day, within the feathers.

Scaly Leg Mites in Chickens

Scaly leg mites are the cause of scaly legs in chickens. These mites are almost invisible due to their tiny size. They burrow between the scales on the legs. Scaly leg mites can easily be transferred to other chickens via perches or bedding. They are not transferable to humans or other animals (except poultry). Like red mites, these mites thrive in a damp and warm environment.

Step 1: Support the Chicken from Within!

When dealing with red mites, it’s often thought that treating the environment is the most important. However, did you know it’s better to start with the chickens themselves? The chicken experiences discomfort and direct contact with the parasites. By treating the chicken, you can quickly get the irritating mites under control. The red mites will then be unable to reproduce, reducing their population, and your chicken will also receive support for its overall health, making it less susceptible to these mites. Did you know that young red mites require a different approach than adults? You tackle the adult mites through the chicken and the young, newly hatched eggs through the environment.

Therefore, always start with internal treatment of your chicken!

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Step 2: Treat the Chicken Coop

Treating only the chickens is usually not enough. A comprehensive approach is necessary, so the environment should not be overlooked. Annoying, itching red mites like to hide in small corners and crevices, such as in the bedding or under buckets in the coop. Therefore, thoroughly treat the environment as well, starting with cleaning (with plenty of water) the chicken coop. Red mites cannot swim, so rinsing the coop with lots of water is already an important step!

Spray the coop with an environmental spray to effectively target young, newly hatched red mites. Eggs cannot be destroyed, neither with chemical products nor with natural ones. Therefore, target the stages where the red mites are young and vulnerable.

Additionally, apply red mite trays to the perches to create an extra barrier against mites that want to crawl onto the chicken at night while it is perched. Fill these trays with an oil containing citronella, which attracts the mites to the tray! It is also important for the chickens to bathe in dust, which could be diatomaceous earth or a mineral-based dust that sticks finely between the chicken’s feathers. This dust allows the chicken to rid itself of parasites.

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Step 3: Don’t Give Up!

Red mites are extremely persistent. We always say that it’s about managing red mites, as completely eradicating them is impossible! The eggs of red mites can still hatch 2 years later, as they wait for the ideal conditions.

Therefore, it’s a matter of keeping them manageable. Don’t give up! No matter how frustrating it is and how it may seem like there’s no end to the red mites. Make sure you use various products to address all stages of the red mite. Regularly clean the coop, hang up a red mite test, and treat immediately if red mites are detected. With good hygiene, perseverance, and motivation, the irritating pests can indeed be kept under control!

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Step 4: Keep Checking

Don’t sit back once you think the problem is under control! Stay alert and continue to monitor your chickens and their environment. For example, hang a Red Mite Test under the chickens' perches. Check it weekly and even daily during the red mite season. The sooner you spot red mites, the easier the treatment will be.

In many cases, it’s also advisable to continue treating preventively. Ensure that the coop is sprayed with the environmental spray every 4 weeks so that newly hatched red mites are immediately destroyed and dried out. Also, keep the red mite trays clean, as they lose their effectiveness once covered in dust.

By continuing to monitor, you will quickly detect a recurrence and can act immediately. The sooner you start treatment, the easier it is to get the situation back under control! And if you can’t figure it out? Ask Finecto!

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