Fowl pox

[coach723]

Here in the US we use permethrin based products or spinosad as they are readily available. I know that some have used Frontline (for dogs), or Adams flea and tick spray (applied with a q-tip to the areas where the fleas are) on the bird. I'm really ignorant of what is available to you in Australia, so don't know what to recommend specifically for products. If you have a local agriculture department there they may be able to advise you, or a vet that sees poultry.
The link I gave you before does mention one product available in Australia, maldison, I know nothing about it or it's use. You need to treat the bird, remove as many fleas as possible, I'd use tweezers for those that don't drop off. The skin under where they are attached will probably be inflamed, so you could use some plain antibiotic ointment there after they are off. You will also need to treat the coop and run where they live. The flea eggs and larvae incubate in the soil, so that needs to be treated at intervals to break the life cycle and get rid of them, or they will just keep coming back. Again, here I would use a permethrin or spinosad and spray it all. All bedding in the coop and nest boxes needs to be cleaned out, and replaced after treating the coop. Burning the removed bedding is a good way to ensure you don't just move the fleas to a new place. As with all infestations of lice or mites or in this case fleas, treating the host (bird) and the environment is necessary to get it under control. It will take some effort, I hope you can get them taken care of.

 

[sonandsal]

Thank you for the advice. if I use tweezers for the stubborn ones wont the heads break off and stay in the chickens skin and if so will that then cause problems.

 

[Table4Six]

If the heads stay in there it could cause problems, so I would suggest gripping the fleas heads as closely to Mrs. Frizzles skin without hurting her in order to fully remove the fleas and dispose of them. I would do this as quickly as possible, because the sticktight fleas will spread to your other chickens if not removed. And make sure she has plenty of dusty dirt/sand to bathe in. That's the best natural way to get rid of the fleas. Like you said though you'll have to pick off the stubborn ones with tweezers.

 

[coach723]

The very first link I gave you describes removing them with tweezers. Unlike ticks, they will let go. If you've treated with something then they will likely be dead or dying and those that remain should be easily removed.

 

[getaclue]

Petroleum Jelly, like Vaseline, will kill them in a few days time, then you can pick them off.

 

[getaclue]

After they're dead, most will scrape off in areas where you can use the edge of a credit type card.