Neem oil...

If I use neem oil in my coop and on my hens, (for jumping fleas) Will I be able to use the eggs. Will they be dangerous to people or dogs (my dogs love scrambled eggs and get some every day).

I’ve been using neem oil in my coop for a couple of months to treat and prevent mites, though I don’t use it on the animals. We’ve been eating the eggs and feeding them to the dogs with no problem. Make sure you dilute the oil, though, and try not to directly ingest it. It is typically sold as an insecticide for vegetable gardens, so as long as you wash any food products it touches it should be fine. I would never spray the nesting boxes with anything you wouldn’t want to ingest with your eggs, so that keeps it from directly contacting them.

Willow2253 said:

I’ve been using neem oil in my coop for a couple of months to treat and prevent mites, though I don’t use it on the animals. We’ve been eating the eggs and feeding them to the dogs with no problem. Make sure you dilute the oil, though, and try not to directly ingest it. It is typically sold as an insecticide for vegetable gardens, so as long as you wash any food products it touches it should be fine. I would never spray the nesting boxes with anything you wouldn’t want to ingest with your eggs, so that keeps it from directly contacting them.

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Willow2253 said:

I’ve been using neem oil in my coop for a couple of months to treat and prevent mites, though I don’t use it on the animals. We’ve been eating the eggs and feeding them to the dogs with no problem. Make sure you dilute the oil, though, and try not to directly ingest it. It is typically sold as an insecticide for vegetable gardens, so as long as you wash any food products it touches it should be fine. I would never spray the nesting boxes with anything you wouldn’t want to ingest with your eggs, so that keeps it from directly contacting them.

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Hi! Have you noticed any reduction in flies after your application of neem oil around the coop and run? What is the dilution ratio you use? Also when are you spraying? I’ve been given to understand that neem oil is very toxic to beneficial insects and invertebrates. That’s one of the reasons I’ve been hesitant to spray.

I use it for my garden it helps with a lot of different types of bugs. Which I guess you've noticed. If you don't spray it in the nest boxes and maybe spray the rest when the chickens are out giving it time to dry I would think it would be fine assuming diluted

Has anyone used Neem oil directly on the chicken? I have one with a case of scaley leg mites and ivermectin keeps it in check but has not completely gotten rid of it.

Apimacchi said:

Hi! Have you noticed any reduction in flies after your application of neem oil around the coop and run? What is the dilution ratio you use? Also when are you spraying? I’ve been given to understand that neem oil is very toxic to beneficial insects and invertebrates. That’s one of the reasons I’ve been hesitant to spray.

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We didn’t have much of a fly problem in our coop to begin with, so I haven’t noticed much change there. I spray about once a month on the ground and on the roosts, usually when I replace bedding in the coop. I don’t spray the run. I mix 2 tablespoons oil per gallon of water, as recommend on the bottle.

Don't know if spraying it directly on the chicken would be good. Might be safe but don't know exactly. I would be hesitant. Maybe use neem in coop and the ivermectin on the chicken. I've never had to deal with mites yet ( thankfully sure my day will come ) but heard its best to treat the coop for mites also. Especially the cracks and crevices where the hide. That's why I use couple coats of barn paint on inside to fill in and crevices in the wood so if I run into a mite issue it's easier to eradicate. I've heard the are A PAIN to completely eradicate

Apimacchi said:

Has anyone used Neem oil directly on the chicken? I have one with a case of scaley leg mites and ivermectin keeps it in check but has not completely gotten rid of it.

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I've been using directly on my chickens. Stick fleas are awful and I'm beside myself. Been treating the hens and directly applying to combs, wattles and wherever I see fleas attached. The fleas drop off, but within a few days I see some back on each bird. Not sure if its the same fleas or newer hatched ones. I did notice one day where the hen laid an egg wo a shell. But mostly they are normal, acting fine and eggs are normal.