FINCHforum

I have a pair of Gouldians and their 6 babies (hatched on 7/24/17). They haven't had mite prevention yet. I want to put Scatt in their water. I've done it before when it was just the pair, but now there's 8 of them. How do I make sure they all get it (and some don't get more than others)? Also, are the chicks old enough (they're about 6 weeks old now)? I'm tempted to add it to water in a spray bottle and spray them...??

moonriver

You NEVER PUT SCATT in water, drinking or otherwise, NOR do you spray it on your birds!

You need to put one drop only, with a dropper directly to the skin on the neck or on the upper leg (not on the feathers). It enters the bird's blood stream through the skin, and is not to be injested.

This product is not to be used on birds younger than 6 months.

Here is an article which you should definitely read...


http://www.allbirdproducts.com/newprodu ... scatt.html

Is there any way I can protect them from mites without having to catch them? What about the mite protectors you can hang on the cage?

Elana,
I was reading the article you posted above and it mentioned ivermectin. I use it as a spray around the perimator monthly for ants mites, etc.. Preventative only so far . Can it be applied to the skin like scat. Article did not say only that it will treat air mites etc.

I read that too! Could that be effective mite prevention for finches?

moonriver
There is little to no proof that mite protecters work, but several cases of birds dying after being near them, so I would avoid them if I were you.

I can't really catch all my birds, one by one, either.

Morning Bird makes 'Iverlux'. The active ingredient is Ivermectin. Quite a few bird supplies sell Morning Bird products.

They say it can either be applied to each bird OR put 1/2 teaspoon per 1 quart of water, and use that as their drinking water for two consecutive days.

On those days I don't feed vegetables or egg food, so they'll be thirsty enough to drink the solution. Pull out the fresh water the night before. Then, first thing next morning, put in the just-mixed solution.

It doesn't keep when mixed. In fact, it would be better to put in a fresh solution at mid-day.

Thanks, Dave! I was hoping for a solution like that. My birds bathe in their water more than they drink it; is it okay if they splash around in that solution?

Thanks!

Mine have, and I haven't seen any bad effects.

moonriver

"mite protectors" clip-ons are MOTH BALLS, toxic and horrible. I wouldnt let them near my birds,

Dave,
I too have heard that the mite protector boxes are very bad, the fumes from them are invisible but are toxic to breathe. Why are they even sold what with the toxcicity?

I will try my invermectin in the water. I have a bird bath that doubles as drinking water but will use the 1/2per quart mix in place of fresh water for a couple of days. Are you sure it is drinkable? First I will compare ingredients of mine to the morning bird. I"ll post my findings

rsrj317

Its an old poison from the world war 2 era. Cant believe its still used today.