Free Range Chickens and Lice- Can You Prevent It?

[1motorpsycho]

We've got free-range silkies, and they are always exposed to lice and mites due to foraging under the wild bird feeders right with the wild birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. We've always used food-grade diatomaceous earth in our coop, nest boxes, and dust baths, so in the 8 years we've had them, they've never gotten lice or mites, albeit SLM (scaley leg mites) thrice. Monthly, I kick the chickens out of the coop, put on a mask, and sprinkle it everywhere. I also go around the coop and the house for ants, and have used it in our parrot cages for over 20 years for fruit flies.

This is a common occurrence.

View attachment 3935293

Yeah, I am about to move my wild bird feeder to the front yard (Chickens are in the back). I hope that is good enough.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Just make sure the wild birds aren't getting to your feed. Most wild animals have to hustle every day light hour to eat enough to survive. If you have wild birds hanging around, they are likely getting to the feed.