Do chickens really get lice and mites?

[court1983]

Okay so I was on tractor supply and I was just browsing through, and I saw a spray for bugs. So I look into it and begin reading about it and it says that its for mites,lice,etc. Is it really possible that my four hens will get lice? I am a freak about lice!! Is it the same kind of lice that gets in kids hair? I am totally freaking out and stressing now like I do with my kids are in school and I hear stories of head lice. HELP!!!

 

[MaineGigi]

Yes they do get lice and mites. The lice are not the same and do not survive on humans. They can get scaley leg mites and some type of red body mite. I dust mine with diatomaceous earth and you can also dust them with Sevin. Dust the coop once in awhile between cleanings and the perches also. Don't get too freaked out!
~Cathy

 

[chardob]

Yes, chickens can and do get lice and mites. A good way to try to prevent it is to get diamatemacous earth (DE) and allow your chickens to dust bathe in it. Put the DE in a litter box and let your hens have a good time.

If they DO get lice or mites, you can either use Sevin dust, or a pesticide dust especially made for poultry. Which you choose is a matter of choice, but be aware that Sevin dust plainly states on the label you should not use it on animals. That said, there are people who will use nothing but 7 dust, and those who wouldn't use it no matter what.

 

[Pele]

Any animal with blood can get lice and mites. However, we are all very fortunate that they are picky eaters, and will stay within the species of their choice.

You taste gross to bird lice, so there's no reason panic about the idea of contracting them from birds. Just like your chickens don't have to worry about contracting lice from you, as human lice like humans (if you are going to worry about contageon, other children are the vector that will give your children lice. There's no reason to look for more exotic sources).

A small backyard flock of chickens is very unlikely to ever contract lice in their lifetime, but as their owners, you are responsible for their health, and need to monitor them. If they ever get them, it's no big deal. Just powder them with medicine according to packet instructions, and tada, fixed.

 

[canesisters]

There are very few pests that easily transfer from humans to animals/fowl or visa/versa. I do not believe that you can 'catch' lice from your birds. Although... I wouldn't rule out the possibility that if you had a particularly sever infestation you could possibly get a bug or two on you and they might bite.. but I wouldn't think that they could live and thrive. Sort of like fleas on dogs and cats. If you dog has fleas, you might get bit, but you wouldn't have a colony of them living on you. Prevention will be your best friend.
Keep you coop clean. Keep you birds healthy. And take measures to prevent ANY sort of infestations. Personally, I dust the coop floor and roosts with DE every time I clean or add bedding. Every now and then, I dust the roosts and around the edges and corners of the coop with Seven dust. If I notice one of my birds doing an excessive amount of preening, I check their skin closely for anything suspicious.

 

[MsBagawkbagawk]

Yes, chickens do get lice and mites. Their are many different types and I would definitely recommend Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens by Gail Damerow for more info. Don't worry about it to much though. My favorite hen Sophie (my profile pic) seems to get lice (small straw colored insects the size of a small grain of rice) every once in a while I put her in a cage that has been dusted with Sevin 5% (you can get it at any garden store, make sure it is the 5% because it might harm them if they try to eat a higher concentration, if you have more questions someone at the stores should be able to help) and she is fine for about a month then I have to repeat. Supposedly a well trimmed beak helps but my Sophie's beak is fine, so...

If you only have like you say, four hens and they are all the same age and are not taken to shows or places where they can get lice they should be fine.

Also, for a quick fix, give them a good bath in dawn or Flea and tick shampoo (like you use on dogs) and that should kill them. I just recommend checking around their vent, their breast, their wing-pits, and on their backs every once in a while or if you feel itchy after handling.

Ms. B

 

[court1983]

Okay this helps, I feel better. Thankyou all!!!

 

[MaineGigi]

The good things about owning chickens far outweighs the bad. Glad your relieved now!!

 

[MommaIsLearning]

when people talk about 'diamatemacous earth (DE)' for their chickens (for dusting) do they mean the same stuff used in gardens, etc., or is there a special type for chickens?
and I've seen some people talk about mixing it in their homemade feed blends,...is it still the same stuff? and why should it be put in their feed?

 

[appps]

Lol. Yeah those head critters are a nightmare. Good news is even if the chicken ones get on you they will only have a quick nibble, make you itch for a couple days then drop dead cause you are not a chicken