another question or two

[emjay]

someone said to me yesterday that chickens are covered in fleas, is this true, if so, is there a good flea dust product? and are they species specific?

also, I see alot of mention about Ivermectin, do you need to worm chickens??? and if so, how often and how do you give it?

I am squeamish about the w' word. so be gentle. haha.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Chickens are not necessarily covered in fleas, but yes, they can be. Mites and lice are probably more common, though. Sevin or poultry dust, dog flea/tick spray, human lice or dog flea/tick shampoo can be used to treat the bird Ivermectin will also work on the mites and lice that suck the blood, but there are some that eat feathers and thus won;t get a taste of the ivermectin that would do them in.

You also need to remove and destroy all bedding, and thoroughly spray all pourous material in the coop & pen. Be especially sure to get into all the cracks and crevases where the nasty bugs can and do hide.