Getting those nits off!

[FirstTimeChikens]

I'm wondering the best way to get the eggs/nits off my babies..apparently I'm the worst chicken owner in the world because a couple weeks after I moved my angels to the coop, they get lice (the are about 7 weeks). Apparently the lice are in the area as my neighbor said she had them before too. I'm treating with a insecticide right now, gardstar I think it is? The active ingredient starts with a p. I will dust them 3-4 times a week with the stuff for 3 weeks, and see where I am. Any tips for how to get the nits off after I kill the adults? I heard the nits cling to the feathers for months after the infection. I dont want to pluck the chickens, theyre only babies! Can the nits re-infect my chicks or will they be dead too? Anything else I should know? I'm gonna use first Saturday lime as a preventative once all this stuff clears up as I do have a cat and I heard what im using is toxic to them. I also hate the idea of a pesticide!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The active ingredient starts with a p. I will dust them 3-4 times a week with the stuff for 3 weeks, and see where I am. Any tips for how to get the nits off after I kill the adults? I heard the nits cling to the feathers for months after the infection. I dont want to pluck the chickens, theyre only babies! Can the nits re-infect my chicks or will they be dead too?

Sounds like you are using Permethrin dust.

Dust once every 7 days for several week, not 3-4 times a week for several weeks.

Nits are lice eggs, so yes, they can hatch and re-infest the bird, so dusting every 7 days will help break the cycle and kill lice that have hatched. The dust will not penetrate lice eggs.

Removing nits, you can either pluck the feathers with the most nits, careful not to tear the skin. Some use coconut oil to help try to dissolve the nits and hand pick them off.

 

[FirstTimeChikens]

Sounds like you are using Permethrin dust.

Dust once every 7 days for several week, not 3-4 times a week for several weeks.

Nits are lice eggs, so yes, they can hatch and re-infest the bird, so dusting every 7 days will help break the cycle and kill lice that have hatched. The dust will not penetrate lice eggs.

Removing nits, you can either pluck the feathers with the most nits, careful not to tear the skin. Some use coconut oil to help try to dissolve the nits and hand pick them off.

Will it hurt the bird if I leave some eggs on until they molt? Or will the nits be able to hatch months after. Can they die in their eggs? I guess I'm not understanding the process well, lol. Treat until all the adults are dead, and then after a couple weeks try to get remaining eggs off. What prevents those from catching?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Will it hurt the bird if I leave some eggs on until they molt? Or will the nits be able to hatch months after. Can they die in their eggs? I guess I'm not understanding the process well, lol. Treat until all the adults are dead, and then after a couple weeks try to get remaining eggs off. What prevents those from catching?

No, it won't hurt the bird, they may preen some of the nits off.

Hard to know if the nits will die or not, most will try to hatch if possible I suppose, this is why you treat in 7 day intervals to try to break the cycle.

 

[FirstTimeChikens]

No, it won't hurt the bird, they may preen some of the nits off.

Hard to know if the nits will die or not, most will try to hatch if possible I suppose, this is why you treat in 7 day intervals to try to break the cycle.

Okay! Thank you. Can I start trying to clean the birds whenever? Could I start tomorrow if I wanted?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Okay! Thank you. Can I start trying to clean the birds whenever? Could I start tomorrow if I wanted?

Yes you can. The more of those nits you can remove the better.

Don't throw the nits on the ground, place them in a ziplock bag or container that you can seal and throw away.

 

[FirstTimeChikens]

Yes you can. The more of those nits you can remove the better.

Don't throw the nits on the ground, place them in a ziplock bag or container that you can seal and throw away.

Thanks!!!!