AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Now that I know there are feather mites on more poor chooks, well dying ones anyway, what damage or sicknss do they contribute to or carry or are they just annying little crawling things?

I know Ivermectin was discussed as NOT working on feather mites, but according to a page about mites on canaries...

"There are several mite sprays on the market that you can spray directly on your bird for mites (pyrethrins). These sprays are effective for some types of mites such as feather mites and red mites but do not eliminate air sac mites. Ivermectin (Ivomec) and Moxidectin (Scatt) are recommended for treating a variety of parasitic infections including several kinds of mites (air sac mites, scaley leg mites, red mites and feather mites). These medications are actually designed for treating cattle and are not FDA approved for treating canaries (Moxidectin is used on birds in Australia). However, many vets will recommend these drugs."
Source: http://www.aaawebmaster.com/canary/disease.htm

Maybe you could try a bigger dose. A few drops is not enough. Try a full ml (about 10 drops) or maybe even 2ml. I did...and most of the birds lived.

And, another page with more detail. This time about parrots...

"In the nineties, due to good results using Ivermectin (Ivomec®) controlling a large amount of parasites in almost all domestic animals, this substance has been applied on birds in order to control feather mites and bird lice as well. Ivermectin can be used in birds using the so called “spot-on” method. It is a systemic insecticide, being absorbed through skin and spreading within the body via blood and lymphoid liquid. Quinten (1998) prefers this scheme of treatment. Compared to this method, Kummerfeld (1999) suggests the application of insecticide powder in order to control feather mites.

We have compared spot on treatment schemes by Ivomec® (Ivermectin Merial) and Stronghold® (Selamectin Pfizer) in Mulga Parrots (Psephotus varius) infested by Dubininia melopsittaci.

Each bird (average body weight in Mulga Parrots is 60-70 g) received a spot of Ivomec® S 0,27% (for piglet or weaner) or Stronghold® 15mg onto the skin of the featherless neck.

In the case of Ivomec®, already after a time of 2 days, significant reduction and loss of motility of living mites has been observed. After a period of 14 days, no living mites have been detected.

Stronghold®, like Ivomec® is a systemic drug. All mites have been killed 8 days after the treatment.

Concerning both systemic drugs, it has proven that mites on wing feathers earlier showed a reaction than mites on tail feathers. Another experiment using double dose Stronghold® (2 drops spot on) did not show deviation in drug safety or effect.

It is useful to repeat the treatment after a period of 14 days since larvae hatched in this period have not been affected during the first treatment. Once feather mites have been detected in the stock, it is necessary to treat all birds in order to prevent spreading. Furthermore, it is useful to treat the surrounding and the cage of the birds by cleaning and applying a acaricide containing disinfection solution, since moulting feathers are frequently infested by mites or mites that have fallen out of the plumage are present. "
Source: http://www.federmilben.de/en/control.html

See also http://www.environment.gov.au/biodivers ... sitism.pdf

That's interesting. I use Cydectin but back it up with Pestene. Maybe I just need to do a two week follow up. Mmmm - maybe I will test it and see. Thanks for the info Greenaus.

That's great info Charles, thanks heaps. Yesterday arvo when I discovered the infestation I redid some of the girls with a small dose behind the comb & then a bigger dose above the tail where that little thingy is, I don't know what it is called .

This morning I sprayed a few before Mitchell decided enough (15mo 2 legged baby) so we went out again this arvo & the girls I had redone top & tail with the ivomectem had all but no sign of life on them. So amybe the answer is to do them like a big dog at each end or like a cow & do the whole topline.

I did see that I will have to do them in 2 weeks to kill the next generation coming through. Well at least I have learnt something, another day not wasted