Blood mite control: through feed or through the drinking water of chickens?
Whether you choose a drinking water application or a powder for feed based on herbs and essential oils, both essentially have the same goal. The herbs in these products make the blood indigestible for red mites, preventing adult red mites from reproducing further. As a result, the population gradually decreases, and the red mites remain manageable. Both applications have no negative effects on the health of the chickens. You can also continue to eat the eggs because these products do not affect the taste and quality (unlike chemical products). However, the drinking water application is slightly more comprehensive and also has a restorative effect after a red mite infestation.
Red mites
27 June '22 • 1 min reading time
Choice Depending on Housing
Most of the chickens simply receive their standard chicken feed, without any supplements, and live in their chicken coop. These chickens only eat what is provided to them. However, rain can often enter the coop, creating puddles of water that the chickens drink from, but usually, they just drink fresh water from the drinking tower. For these chickens, the powder to sprinkle over the feed is more than suitable. The chickens receive enough of their supplement daily through the feed for optimal functioning. Some chickens in the coop receive limited chicken feed and mainly live off leftovers from the owner. For these chickens, a drinking water application is more suitable because there is a chance that they do not get enough of the supplement through the chicken feed. The effectiveness will not be optimal then. However, these chickens do use the drinking tower, allowing them to receive the supplement that way. Lastly, there is a group of chickens that roam outside during the day and receive a bit of chicken feed. These chickens also drink water from puddles or wet grass. This group would not get enough through feed, nor through drinking water. Therefore, we recommend using both applications for this group so that the chickens will receive the right amount.
Extra tips:
Temporarily do not supplement. If the chickens are occasionally supplemented, do not do this when there are red mites and you are treating them with the supplement over the feed. Supplementing may cause the chickens not to get enough of the supplement, and then the effect will not be optimal. Use oil to make the powder stick. Is the powder sinking too much to the bottom because it does not stick to the chicken feed? Mix it with a little olive oil so that the powder sticks to it.
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