How to Get Rid of Mites in Gamefowl

Gamefowl, like all breeds of poultry, are susceptible to several varieties of blood-sucking mites. Mites affect small backyard flocks and large commercial productions alike. Getting rid of mites is essential to the health of your gamefowl, as untreated infestations cause birds to develop anemia, which in turn leads to decreased egg production, lethargy, scaly skin and dirty feathers, and, in severe cases, death.

Things You'll Need

  • Sponge
  • Plastic spray bottles
  • Carbaryl-based insecticide dust
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Vinegar
  • Clean bedding
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Instructions

  1. Getting Rid of Mites

    • 1

      Examine your gamefowl to identify mites. Gently blow on the feathers of a few birds and watch for small, spidery bugs to appear. Yellow- or gray-colored bugs are most likely chicken mites, while reddish-brown insects are probably Northern fowl mites.

    • 2

      Discoloration of feathers and scabbing also indicate the presence of mites. If you notice symptoms of mite infestation but cannot find any insects, check again at night with a flashlight. Whereas Northern fowl mites live directly on the birds, chicken mites tend to live in cracks and underneath bedding in the coop, crawling out at night to feed on roosting gamefowl.

    • 3

      Purchase a carbaryl-based insecticide, such as Sevin dust, at your local feed store.

    • 4

      Clean and disinfect the coop before treating for mites. Remove coop bedding and scrub down all interior and exterior surfaces with a damp sponge and mild antibacterial dish soap.

    • 5

      Fill a plastic spray bottle with white distilled vinegar. Fill another spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide. Used together, the two products will create a nontoxic but effective disinfectant solution.

    • 6

      Mist each area of the coop with vinegar, then immediately mist with the hydrogen peroxide. Wipe down all coop surfaces with the solution and allow to air dry for at least 30 minutes.

    • 7

      Place fresh bedding in the coop. Following the recommended amount on the back of the insecticide container, mix the dust in with coop bedding, including the bedding in nest boxes. If your gamefowl have boxes for dust bathing, mix the product into those boxes as well.

    • 8

      For chicken mites, treating living quarters may be sufficient. Getting rid of the more aggressive Northern fowl mite, however, requires dusting insecticide directly onto each bird. Apply dust under the wings and beneath the feathers, making sure to follow the dosing information on the package.

    • 9

      Repeat the treatment process again in four weeks to prevent any lingering mite eggs from hatching.