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Will washing/bathing my chickens monthly keep mites/lice away?

post #1 of 10
10/15/09 at 9:41pm
Thread Starter 

I have 3, 4 mo. old bantam hens and 3, 3 mo. old bantam hens that are more house pets than anything else. When I let them out in the yard and they have their fun with dirt, I wash them afterwards with baby shampoo. I blow dry them with a hair dryer as well. This can't hurt them right? Also, will washing them keep mites/lice away? hu:idunno

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post #2 of 10
10/15/09 at 9:44pm

I don't wash my babies, but I do treat them quarterly with ivomectrin drops on their backs. So far, no mites or lice and I've had them for a little over a year. fl

Blessed mother of 4 married to the best dh around!
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Blessed mother of 4 married to the best dh around!
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post #3 of 10
10/15/09 at 9:53pm

so, what are these "ivomectrin drops " you speek of??

Wife of a man who 'balances' me, mother of a son who proudly served our country and is "dad" to my grandaughter <chihuahua> Josie. ANd mom the the  most loving daughter ever who has made me the proudest  grama of of *Zac* :-)        and.... owned by two shih tzus,  three cats, 6 redstars, and two EE hens.  A blessed woman :-)
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Wife of a man who 'balances' me, mother of a son who proudly served our country and is "dad" to my grandaughter <chihuahua> Josie. ANd mom the the  most loving daughter ever who has made me the proudest  grama of of *Zac* :-)        and.... owned by two shih tzus,  three cats, 6 redstars, and two EE hens.  A blessed woman :-)
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post #4 of 10
10/15/09 at 9:55pm

Washing them so often is actually hurting them as their skin and feathers will be losing the essential oils that keep them looking and feeling good. Once again they are Chickens and are really not suitable for lap animals indoors. just treat your yard and house for lice & mites and then you shouldn't have to bathe them at all ever.

                                                   AL

Standard White Cornish, Dark's & White laced Red Cornish Breeder..........If you don't have Cornish you don't have Chickens. Breeding the best, to the best.
As good as a few and better than most, What You'll Tolerate in your flock is what you'll get.
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Standard White Cornish, Dark's & White laced Red Cornish Breeder..........If you don't have Cornish you don't have Chickens. Breeding the best, to the best.
As good as a few and better than most, What You'll Tolerate in your flock is what you'll get.
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post #5 of 10
10/15/09 at 10:41pm

Ivomec or ivermectrin - they have a small bottle of pour on cattle wormer? that you can get at your feed store. Its 5 drops between the shoulder blades for normal sized chickens. Do a search on here for it and you'll find lots of info for it. Many, many people use this to worm their chickens and prevent lice/mites. Mine free range and so I am sure that they've been exposed to wild birds, etc and so far no problems. I have fat, healthy shiny happy chickens!

Blessed mother of 4 married to the best dh around!
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Blessed mother of 4 married to the best dh around!
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post #6 of 10
10/15/09 at 10:43pm

Put the ashes from the wood stove or fire place out for them to dust bathe in.  That keeps them pest free in a more natural way.

Rufus

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post #7 of 10
10/16/09 at 9:15am

My chickens dust bathe daily.  No mites.  That's why they dustbathe, to rid themselves of any external pests.

If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever - Winnie the Pooh
I'll never develop a thick skin.  Thick skin leads to a hard heart and I never want to be one of those people. 

A slave to LF brahmas, seramas, runner ducks, call ducks, two geese that are my feathered children, and a crossbeak silkie X named Dragon. 

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If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever - Winnie the Pooh
I'll never develop a thick skin.  Thick skin leads to a hard heart and I never want to be one of those people. 

A slave to LF brahmas, seramas, runner ducks, call ducks, two geese that are my feathered children, and a crossbeak silkie X named Dragon. 

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post #8 of 10
10/16/09 at 10:17am

Plus while a bath will make a *dent* in the numbers of mites or lice, it is not going to eliminate 'em if the chicken is infested.

A good dustbath, plus regular inspections and treatment as needed, is really your best bet.

JMHO,

Pat

my Big Ol' Ventilation Page is at http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION
and Big Ol' Mud Page (fixing muddy runs): http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run
and Cold Coop (winter design) page: http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-winter-coop-temperatures
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my Big Ol' Ventilation Page is at http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION
and Big Ol' Mud Page (fixing muddy runs): http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-fix-a-muddy-run
and Cold Coop (winter design) page: http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-winter-coop-temperatures
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post #9 of 10
10/16/09 at 11:03am

thanks for all the info....mine dust bathe daily as well and so far so good.  We've had had a LOT of 'free range sparrows' taking up residence in my feeder!!!  and really thought i was going to have problems... DE on floor, and ashes in 'baths' have seemed to ward off any unwanted intruders.  AS well as me  netting the whole coop and run to keep out the little beggers.. wink

Wife of a man who 'balances' me, mother of a son who proudly served our country and is "dad" to my grandaughter <chihuahua> Josie. ANd mom the the  most loving daughter ever who has made me the proudest  grama of of *Zac* :-)        and.... owned by two shih tzus,  three cats, 6 redstars, and two EE hens.  A blessed woman :-)
Reply
Wife of a man who 'balances' me, mother of a son who proudly served our country and is "dad" to my grandaughter <chihuahua> Josie. ANd mom the the  most loving daughter ever who has made me the proudest  grama of of *Zac* :-)        and.... owned by two shih tzus,  three cats, 6 redstars, and two EE hens.  A blessed woman :-)
Reply
post #10 of 10
10/21/09 at 8:01pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the tips! I try not to wash them that often and look up on that ivermectrin stuff. I live in Los Angeles, so no such thing as feed store for farm animals. We have wild birds and wild squirrels that comes and go so I don't want to have mites problem on top of having a sick chicken. One of my silkie is sitting all the time and not eating much.

See my brood at http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=38480
Reply
See my brood at http://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=38480
Reply
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