Exactly how do you dust a chicken for lice?

[MissPrissy]

We do what we have to do. One thing at a time and it all eventually gets done!

 

[brothab]

I had better luck with Malathion. Mix up a five gallon bucket of it and dunk them. After I dunked them all and turned them loose in the yard to run I sprayed down the coop with it too. I havn't had any trouble with mites since. That was over a year ago.

 

[Chic-n-farmer]

Hello,
This is my first post here. I was following the chat about lice and I was hoping someone could elaborate on the use of sevin dust and not eating the eggs for a week.
My pullets have just started to lay and we get 6 or 7 eggs a day. Of course I hate to waste them, but I really don't want to poison my family either.
Thanks!

 

[Jenski]

I just use poultry dust (permethrin) from the co-op. This works on lice and mites. After reading the research suggesting a link between respiratory problems and turning hens upside down, I have chosen to dust them "right side up;" I wait until they perch in the evening, pull on some surgical gloves, and using a powder container I "poof" their behinds, being sure to get to the skin really well. I also gently dust under each wing, and then I put the girls to bed.

I try to do this 1x/week; I am actually going to do it right now.

I feel safe enough with this product that I do not discard eggs.

In tandem with dusting, I also use a permethrin spray (from co-op; I hand mix) for surfaces on the outside of the coop and run; I generally only do this if I notice a problem, and I wait until the girls are outside in the yard.

MissPrissy, I know you have a lot of chicken experience. I would welcome any comments you have about the research I mentioned above. Have you ever had any respiratory issues with your chix? Is this even worth worrying about?


Jen in TN

 

[hillerfamily]

you would hold the chicken upside down so the feathers spread outand so the dust gets to the skin.

I hope this works out for you:/

 

[miss_thenorth]

Quote:
Thanks, this post is over a year old, I figured it out a long time ago

 

[Urbana Gardener]

new to chickens. do these lice get on people? id there an easy way to get them upside down. our hens are 13 weeks old and run the property but go to their coop in the evening to sleep. we can't get them to allow us to hold them, so holding upside down seems impossible.

 

[jjthink]

Quote:
Very old thread but your questions aren't and I didn't want you to worry. Chicken lice do not bother humans. And maybe I'm overly cautious, but unless one knows how to properly handle an upside down chicken, they can die. Myself, I would do what needs to be done with them upright!
JJ

 

[Urbana Gardener]

we are going to try tonight. fun stuff!

 

[Wynette]

Please post back with your results - I'll be curious to hear how this method works!