Chook lice / pests

[Chicks in the City]

Loving having our 4 new members of the family. We have noticed 1 in particular has little pests approx 1mm long & dark brown in colour. Does anyone know what they are? Any suggestions if they need to be removed? And if so how?

 

[nnbreeder]

Sounds like lice, the country you are in makes the difference on what you can use to get rid of them.

 

[Poohbear]

Yep, you need meds. I use Adams flea and tick spray. You can dust them with 5% Sevin dust or spray them with Permitrin and water. Mites and lice on chickens are like lice on humans in that you have to kill the mites, their eggs and disinfect the coops. Liquid bleach and water sprayed in the coops will disinfect them but be sure and spray every nook and crany. If your coops are made of wood, when it gets warmer weather take the chickens out and spray the entire coop with Diesel fuel. The after smell is too powerful to use in enclosed spaces for chickens or humans so don't spray diesel fuel when chickens are cooped up for the winter. Mites and lice will suck the blood right out of your chickens so do something QUICKLY! Be sure and spray the feather stems on the wings and tail but DON'T spray a chickens vent (Butt). soray above and below the vent. Be sure and WORM them too.

 

[nnbreeder]

If you are in the UK here is a good link to read.
http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5250