Tick Control That’s Nontoxic to Chickens?

[Farmgirl1878]

We live on a hardwood tree farm in Southern Ohio, so of course have a metric butt-ton of ticks around the coop, run, and chicken yard. I haven’t seen any on the chickens yet, but pull them off of us bipeds on a daily basis. Is there any insecticide that we can use around the coop that won’t harm the chickens? I don’t care whether it’s all out chemical warfare or “natural,” but I need something that will kill these little blood-sucking monsters ASAP!

 

[ModernGamer]

I know Diatomaceous earth is used to kill fleas and ticks as it will literally go under their scales and cut them up form the inside

 

[Folly's place]

Are your chickens eating them? Some do, and it will help. Guineas are incredibly loud, but have a good reputation for eating and eliminating ticks. Permethrin spray will kill the ticks, and does have some residual activity too.
We don't have ticks here at home yet, but I know that they are coming!
I wouldn't bother with DE!
We did that daily 'tick search' growing up in NW Wisconsin, and I'm not looking forward to having to do it again!
Mary

 

[Farmgirl1878]

We might get some guinea keets next year. We’d need to build them a separate coop as we are gong to be close to capacity in the one we just built when the babies get picked up next week!

 

[RWise]

Sulfur will help. it will not kill them just makes it undesirable to be there. I got the chickens to take care of my tick problem, and in the yard it has worked.
Oh ya the chickens will eat some of the sulfur if it is granular or pellets, and powder washes away quickly, does not seem to hurt them.

 

[$pent_Hens]

We use cedar oil. It does not kill them, but it repels them. And it works!!!! Many of the chemicals that kill ticks also kill bees and butterflies. But not cedar oil. You can even harvest from the garden the same day you spray. This year I used cedarcide because it was cheaper and they through in the dispenser. I only spray around the perimeter of an acre of land. Cost me about $30 a year. Wondercide is also a good cedar oil source. I live in New England and ticks are horrible this year. But I have only seen three so far.

 

[Cryss]

We use cedar oil. It does not kill them, but it repels them. And it works!!!! Many of the chemicals that kill ticks also kill bees and butterflies. But not cedar oil. You can even harvest from the garden the same day you spray. This year I used cedarcide because it was cheaper and they through in the dispenser. I only spray around the perimeter of an acre of land. Cost me about $30 a year. Wondercide is also a good cedar oil source. I live in New England and ticks are horrible this year. But I have only seen three so far.

Isn't cedar toxic to chicken respiratory systems?

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Isn't cedar toxic to chicken respiratory systems?

I know that you’re not supposed to use cedar shavings in the brooder, so would assume that the cedar oil in the shavings is the reason.

 

[Holliberri]

 

[$pent_Hens]

Isn't cedar toxic to chicken respiratory systems?

I am new to keeping chickens, so had checked with the local chicken “expert” at our agway, who told me it was okay to use. Of course you will have to do your own research. I didn’t spray in on my birds, or inside the coop (where they sleep). I sprayed the perimeter of the run. Please post if you find different information,
. I would never want to use anything that would hurt my birds. Or pass on bad advice.