Mite infestation and freezing temperatures

[Auma]

I need advice on how to get rid of these mites! I live in an area that is consistently below freezing, it was -20 all last week and we've warmed up to 20Farenheit. So I'm thinking a spray is not the way to go right now as I have no other place to relocate my 16 birds, and the guinea and rooster are near impossible to catch. I believe they're northern fowl mites. Our brahma just passed last night after treating with permethrin spray 4 days ago. I feel terrible she got so bad but after giving birth recently, I havnt been able to be as hands on with my birds. Also, she was always a slow bird, content on being by herself and also prone to health issues, I discovered the mites when I was trying to treat her eye again.
Today, I noticed my Easter Egger laying on the floor and only willing to open one eye, she was laying 2 days ago and I didn't see any mites but I gotta believe she's got some and I don't want her to pass too
What do I use to treat them?! And if there's a powder could I add it to sand in a kiddy pool for them to bathe themselves in addition to treating them?

 

[Auma]

Update: I just went to check on my EE, when I found her she looked like she was struggling to breathe and had like mucus in her mouth? I cleared it out and within 3 minutes she started flailing and passed in my arms I checked her over and found no mites on her anywhere, does anyone know what might have happened? She seemed perfectly healthy 2 days ago

 

[FowlProtector]

I'm sorry to hear about your Brahma and the situation with your Easter Egger. Northern fowl mites can be tough to deal with, especially in colder weather, but there are still ways to manage the infestation effectively.
Here are some options you can try:

1. Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Food-grade diatomaceous earth can be a great option, as it's a powder that kills mites by drying them out. You can sprinkle it directly onto your birds, but be cautious about inhaling it, and try to avoid getting it near their eyes and respiratory areas. Adding it to a sand bath is a good idea! A kiddie pool with sand and DE will allow them to dust themselves off. Ensure it’s a place where they can freely bathe.
2. Permethrin Powder: If the spray didn't work, the powder form of permethrin might be more effective, especially in colder temperatures, since it lasts longer. You can apply the powder directly to your birds and in their living areas. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully.
3. Vinegar or Herbal Treatments: Some people use apple cider vinegar diluted in water as a natural mite deterrent. You can also try herbs like neem or garlic, but these tend to be more preventive than a treatment.
4. Clean the Coop Thoroughly: Even if you're dealing with cold weather, cleaning your birds' coop regularly is essential. Scrub everything down with a mite-killing solution, such as permethrin or an essential oil mix (e.g., eucalyptus, tea tree). You could also consider using a blowtorch to heat-treat wooden surfaces (being careful to not burn anything).
5. Heat Treatment: If you can catch the birds, a warm water bath (not too hot) can help remove mites physically. But, with temperatures as low as yours, this might be a difficult option.

Since the weather is so cold and you can’t easily relocate them, focus on getting a good dust bath area with the DE and cleaning out the coop and nesting areas as much as you can. And monitor your Easter Egger closely to ensure she gets the right treatment before it gets worse.
If you suspect the mites are causing health issues, you may need to consider a stronger systemic treatment or talk to a vet about what other solutions might be available for your birds.

 

[Noraaaaa]

Take the chickens and bring them into a warm area. I wrote an article on mite treatment and use that for directions!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-northern-fowl-mite.79740/

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If you can't catch your birds during the day, try treating them at night after they go to roost. They don't see well in the dark and won't be as resistant. It's a good idea to get a little headlamp that has a red light option, walmart may have them for cheap.

 

[FowlProtector]

Update: I just went to check on my EE, when I found her she looked like she was struggling to breathe and had like mucus in her mouth? I cleared it out and within 3 minutes she started flailing and passed in my arms I checked her over and found no mites on her anywhere, does anyone know what might have happened? She seemed perfectly healthy 2 days ago

I'm so sorry to hear about your Easter Egger. That’s heartbreaking, especially so quickly after you just lost your Brahma. The mucus and sudden passing could indicate a respiratory issue, which is concerning. There are a few possible explanations for her symptoms:

1. Respiratory Infection: Chickens can develop respiratory infections caused by bacteria (e.g., Mycoplasma or Infectious Bronchitis) or viruses. Mucus around the mouth and difficulty breathing are common signs. These infections can escalate quickly, especially if the bird is already stressed (from the mites, recent birth, or other factors).
2. Mites and Stress Impact: Even though you didn’t find mites on her directly, the stress of being infested can lower a bird’s immunity and make them more susceptible to secondary infections, including respiratory problems. The mites could have been aggravating her without visible signs.
3. Shock or Sudden Health Collapse: In some cases, chickens can experience sudden health declines from a variety of factors, such as underlying health problems (which might have been more subtle in her case), heart issues, or even poisoning (though that seems less likely here).
4. Egg Bound or Internal Issues: If she was laying recently, it’s possible that something internal could have caused her distress. Egg binding or reproductive issues can sometimes lead to sudden death if they go unnoticed.

It might be worth having a post-mortem done on her if you're able, especially to rule out respiratory issues or other underlying conditions. For now, I'd recommend monitoring the rest of your flock closely and considering some additional treatments for respiratory infections (such as antibiotics, if recommended by a vet), as it could spread among them, particularly if they were exposed to similar stressors.
Take care of yourself too; it sounds like you're managing a lot right now.