Every chicken keeper knows how important it is their brood remains healthy. ilikechickens stocks medication to treat a number of common poultry pests such as red mite, as well as products for keeping your birds healthy and their environment hygienic.
Red Mite
Despite their name, red mites are actually grey or white in colour. They are bloodsuckers and get their name because of the dark red colour they take on as they feed. Red mites attack hens as they sleep, so the chicken coop should be the primary focus of any treatment. Sprays and powders can be applied to the surfaces of the coop, killing off red mites present and preventing further pests from settling. Powder can also be applied directly to affected birds to treat infestations. N.B. Red mite powders are unsuitable for use outside as air movement can spread them across a wide area.
Diatom
Diatom (short for “Diatomaceous Earth”) is a common treatment for red mite. This fine white powder is the fossilised remains of algae. It is highly absorbent at a molecular level, so it dehydrates fleas which it comes into contact with, causing them to shrivel up and die.
If the diatom is sprinkled on the floor of the hut, in the bottom of nests or in a dust bath, your chickens will self medicate as they move about. For this same reason, new applications of diatom should be put down every week as the flapping of the chickens’ wings will cause the powder to disperse over time. As with other forms of red mite powder, diatom can be applied to the birds directly if infestation is already present. Diatom also makes an effective worming agent if added to your chickens’ food.
We stock a variety of different chicken hygiene and medication products, so make sure to look through our full range.
