I remember the very first time we raised chickens. I wasn’t “all-in” if you will, for a few different reasons. First off, our flock was fully grown when we got them. We didn’t start from the chick stage. They weren’t the cute little balls of fluff that we could play with and get to know their personalities. So, naturally, we didn’t have that bond. Second, they were so stinky, dirty and dusty and none of those things appealed to me. Lastly, I had read about chicken mites and lice. Everyone pause and take a deep breath. I was mortified at the thought of little microscopic bugs crawling around and possibly getting on one of us or our kids! Ewwww. Thankfully, now I know that chicken mites and lice don’t survive on humans. Whew! But back then, I had decided that maybe I just wasn’t cut out for being the “crazy chicken lady”.
Now, fast forward to where I am today. I’m crazy about my flock and honestly can’t spend enough time out in the coop snuggling, talking and just simply watching their goofy behaviors. I wear this “crazy chicken lady” label like a badge of honor! What changed? Education for one. I know so much more about these wonderful birds. Also, we’ve raised our flock from the chick stage which is a game changer. But, if I’m going to be completely honest with you, my feathered family members can still stink and create a lot of dust! Although I’m getting used to that part of backyard chickening, the little creatures I still don’t want to deal with are the mites and lice!
Mites and lice are parasites. They survive by living off of other living things such as our chickens. I’ll spare you the details, but just know that these little pests can have a severe impact on your flock. And, if left untreated, mites and lice can actually result in death of your birds!
Here are some symptoms to look for with mites and lice:
- Bare patches
- Reduced weight gain
- Diarrhea
- Reduced fertility
- Decreased egg production or no eggs at all
- Swollen legs with scales standing up – TIP: To kill this particular mite, use a petroleum based product such as Vaseline on their legs. Read more here.
To fight back against these pests, enter into the equation Coop Recuperate™. If there’s ever been a product I brag about, it’s this one. Here at our coop, we use Coop Recuperate™ by Strong Animals Chicken Essentials. You guys… have you ever had a favorite lotion or essential oil you wish you could just roll around in? Haha! I have! This is Coop Recuperate™ for me! Well, I don’t actually roll around in it, but I definitely could! It has been our absolute, hands down favorite product we’ve used in the coop.
Coop Recuperate™ contains two organic essential oils, lemongrass and eucalyptus. It smells AMAZING. It also contains organic diatomaceous earth which is a natural chicken lice and mite treatment. Diatomaceous earth sometimes gets a bad rap because of its properties that, if not used properly, can cause harm to your chicken’s respiratory systems. Coop Recuperate™ uses carefully formulated amounts, so you don’t have to guess on how much is safe for your flock! The organic diatomaceous earth kills lice and mites if it comes in contact with them. I have had absolutely no problems with these nasty little parasites, and I believe a huge part of that is because of Coop Recuperate™.
If you find that you do have a lice or mite issue, you will have to take steps to eliminate them, and cleaning your coop is a critical first step. We all know that keeping a clean coop is vital to the health of our chickens. I use the deep litter method along with Coop Recuperate™ to keep our girls healthy and our coop clean. You can visit my article on the deep litter method, or there are many articles out there providing step-by-step instructions on how to clean your coops and treat your flocks for mites and lice.
I have used Coop Recuperate™ on my older gals and even my newly hatched babies and they’ve all thrived! This product helps keep your bedding fresh and dry. So, if you’re a deep litter person, this is a must have! I literally can sit on the floor of our coop and hang out with the girls without feeling worried about wet litter or icky mites and lice! Whew! I walk out of there and no one would even know I was sitting with a bunch of chickens! It has been the best way for me to bond with our girls. And, knowing they are scratching around in a product made from organic materials that’s safe for them and safe for us, without a bunch of pesticides in it, allows me to rest easy knowing our eggs we’re eating are safe!
For more information on Coop Recuperate™ go here
Don’t forget to check out these past posts as well:
· Managing Egg Production During Shorter Days