[agapanthus]

I've been using Barrier Red Mite Dusting powder for the hens and Decimite spray for their henhouse, but my girls still keep shaking their heads  :cry: Any help appreciated.

[muntjac]

check them if its mites clean ya shed and all the boxes etc  power jet it if u have one .use jeyes .allow it to dry a bit afore ya put em back in . n then dust ya birds agin .they shake thier heads for other reasons ,they could have ear mites ?

[Aunt Sally]

If they are shaking their heads during the day it is probably not red mite but as Munty says ear mite.  

Check the birds over for passengers and zap them with mite powder.  I add diatom to the girls dust bath which physically damages eggs, lavae and adult mites causing them to dehydrate and die.

[agapanthus]

I'm just a bit worried that if I put the powder in their ears I might accidently get some in their eyes. Or am I being a tad precious??

[Aunt Sally]

Did you find any critters on the chooks, if you have they really do nead treating, one a week for about three weeks.  If they are on the head they will be chicken head lice, they are grey and about 2.5mm long.  You might find clusters of eggs attached to the base of the feathers too.

[muntjac]

if you put ur finger over the birds eyes they wil shut them .then spribnkle the powder over the head keeping it clear of the nostrils

[agapanthus]

I've had a look and I can't see any. They were dusted about 3 days ago and the henhouse has been scrubbed and sprayed. I'll dust them again tomorrow.....it won't be too soon after the last application will it?

[Aunt Sally]

For best results dust them at 1 week intervals

[agapanthus]

Thanks Sally....will wait a few days then

[muntjac]

as usual i agre with sally ... save me more bruises  

[agapanthus]