Chickens have lice, again

[Maxx_a_mouse]

i went to bring out my Cornish cross rooster, and then I was covered in chicken lice. I’m not sure how I didn’t notice him having lice before, since he’s out almost every day, but I can only assume with that many that he’s had it for a few days.

My bantams (which are currently living in the house) has lice a few months ago when I first got them from the breeder.

I got rid of them with a spray recipe I found online, consisting of garlic and cinnamon oil, which worked after spraying the chickens every other day for 2 weeks. I will be spraying my 5 chickens that have the lice with this now as it seemed to work last time, and I will be spraying the bantams just Incase aswell. I also bought diatomaceous earth and will be spreading it in and around the coop, aswell as power washing the coop and pouring boiling water everywhere. I will also be putting apple cider vinegar in their water. Oh, and I made a scarecrow since I believe the lice has come from all the birds in the yard. His name is jimothey.

I was wondering if there’s anything else I should be doing to get rid of and prevent any future lice?

 

[Folly's place]

Permethrin spray, twice about ten days apart, without all that other stuff, will work fine.
Lice and mites will happen because of exposure to the wild songbirds, so unless chickens are indoors all the time, it's just something to deal with.
Mites have been our biggest problem here, same story.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

The scarecrow is pretty cute!

 

[Helloworld]

Diatomaceous earth, couple of cups into their dust spot and sprinkled on them if severe.

 

[Maxx_a_mouse]

Permethrin spray, twice about ten days apart, without all that other stuff, will work fine.
Lice and mites will happen because of exposure to the wild songbirds, so unless chickens are indoors all the time, it's just something to deal with.
Mites have been our biggest problem here, same story.
Mary

I’ve been trying to avoid Permethrin spray since I have heard it is toxic to some animals, and since I have a lot of other animals, I would prefer not to risk it.

And I’m aware of the lice coming from the birds, hence the scarecrow. I’d like to take other preventative measures aswell for my birds, since I have a show bird that absolutely can’t have mites/lice. I’ve never had an issue with mites or lice before, it must be this area, since we just moved.

 

[Maxx_a_mouse]

The scarecrow is pretty cute!

Thank you! He’s the first one I’ve made, and he seems to be doing a good job at keeping the birds away. He’s also scared me a few times thinking someone was in my yard

 

[Maxx_a_mouse]

Diatomaceous earth, couple of cups into their dust spot and sprinkled on them if severe.

I’ll be sprinkling them and the coop tomorrow. I’m hoping they dust themselves, I haven’t really seen them do it so I’ll just sprinkle it everywhere I guess

 

[Folly's place]

DE and aromatic oils aren't good to inhale either. Permethrin is toxic for cats, at levels that are fine for many other species. Once the birds and their coop has dried, the cats are safe too. DE isn't really a safer alternative, and doesn't work as well either.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Also, if you google how it's mined, it's pretty ghastly.
Mary

 

[cheekychick3]

Hi you have already been given good advice. Just wanted to say, beautiful pics
of your rooster. And your scarecrow is ace too. lol