Help Hen and Chicks with Lice!! :( ..

[Virgo80]

I have a hen who was broody she just hatched 2 chicks, they are all I the house In a brooder. Today I discovered the Hen has Lice and now the chicks do too! one chick is a week old and the other is only 3 day's old. My question is what is the best way to treat all 3?? I know I read Your blog on how to treat lice but with them being in the house and the chicks being so young I wanted to know the best method for all 3 of them? Thanks again

.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi

Welcome To BYC

Since they have an infestation, treat them with a Permethrin based poultry dust or spray. Tiny chicks may be easier to treat with liquid(spray) since you can use a q-tip or cotton swap to control where the treatment goes (around vent, under wings, etc.).

Clean out the brooder and lightly spritz it down - get rid of the bedding that they are on. Follow directions on the product you use, but general guideline it to re-treat and clean out again in 7days after initial application.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1151513/pesticides-approved-for-poultry

 

[Virgo80]

Also where should I do this at?? I can take the hen outside if need be but the chicks are young and I'm worried about them getting to cold!?..

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You will need to clean out the bedding in the brooder, so if you have a place to put them for a little while that would be good (plastic tote, kennel, etc.).

If you can take the hen out to treat that may be a good idea, don't necessarily soak her down, but try to get all the lice you can. The chicks, just dot/spot treat them before they go back into the brooder. It wouldn't hurt to change the bedding everyday for a few days to hopefully get any that were missed.