chicken lice

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paganfish

paganfish

Songster
12 Years
Sep 15, 2007
1,147
4
169
Fleming, Colorado
Hi-

Does anyone know of a good treatment for lice in hens? I noticed their egg laying had dropped significantly and got worried. After looking at a few I noticed activity on the feathers that is lice related. Clusters on the ends in vent, under wings and chest. I am reading up on treatments and so far there are some sprays and powders that are available. (geeesh. I am itching just thinking about my girls going through this) and also read that dunking them in Ivory Soap does the trick too? In warm water? Does anyone any easy and sure way of dealing with this? I think it's the wild birds that come to eat their scratch on the yard but I have no way of keeping the wild birds out. Argh!

HELP!

Pedro~:|~
 
Here is a link to an article on lice and mites that may be helpful. http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8162.pdf

If you do a search on the diseases forum you will probably come up with some good "natural" treatments like D.E. and Orange Oil.

Try also these links
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=17235

http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=pestmanagement&action=display&num=1161075471

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/204708.htm

http://dlhunicorn.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=bugs&action=display&num=1158739733

Hopefully these will give you the info that you need.
 
Wow...that was fast! Thanks! I had read about DE and so far all I read is positive. I keep looking to see if there is any negative adverse but I have found none. Hummm...As I said, I'd heard about the Ivory Soap strategy but not sure how effective it can be. I would hate to dunk my ladies in water and have them dry up no their own. It's gotten a bit chilly and I am afraid they'll catch a chill. What do you think about that?

Pedro ~;->
 
I would try the other methods...I don't think its good to bathe chickens this time of year and let them try to dry on them own...never heard of the ivory soap method...... food grade DE works wonders....
 
I don't know how bad your infestation is, but it may not be causing your drop off in eggs. You might also think about whether they are not getting a full day's light, whether there's an egg eater in your flock, a snake/rat/skunk eating eggs, the girls hiding eggs on you. Any of these may be more likely than lice when it comes to dropping egg production.

Some lice on your birds is normal, but DE will usually take care of a big infection. The non-organic control I've heard of is Sevin powder. Do NOT(!) use dog or cat flea/tick/lice chemicals.

-Frank
 
Thanks everyone. I got so much to research! LOL! I feel much better that I don't have to dunk them in soapy water that...albeit warm, could chill them. Ugh! I would feel worse if something happened to them because of *that*. I think I am going to go the DE way. We have a feed store here and I sent them an e-mail to see if they carry it. If not...I'll have to order online. Does anyone know of a reputable place to order online? I'll keep looking but I really like all the help you've provided. Much thanks!
big_smile.png


Pedro ~:->
 
Frank-

Well, I only noticed it on a couple of hens. Not all of them had them. I have read that if even ONE has them..it's time to act. Wow! The eggs have dropped from 13 a day last week (I have 16 hens) to 8 a day this week. I am still grateful for the eggs...not being greedy...but, just worried that they might be in some kind of agony. Ya know? Sort of new at this...sorry.

Thanks for your suggestions.

~:->
 
Well, I just ordered Di Earth last night and should be getting it in the next couple of days. Hopefully, by Saturday! I have to clean things real good before I apply it. <sigh!>

Thanks for all your help and I will keep you posted on how it turns out. You guys rock!

~;->
 

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