HELP PLEASE!!!

[jak2002003]

One of my ringneck doves has got a pigeon fly parasite on it and I can't get rid of it.

Its freaking me out - its disgusting - and can not be nice for the bird either

. I am worried my other doves will catch them if it breeds. It runs over the body of the dove like a crab, and when I try to catch it, it goes into the birds feathers.

I tried some anti flea and mite dust on the dove once. I used this stuff when my chickens has feather mites and it worked really well, but it did not kill this fly. The dove got really stressed and struggled a lot and I got some in her eye. I don't want to go through that again.

Once the fly flew off the dove, but when straight back on.

My Doves live outdoors in several cages around the garden. I rescued a wild spotted necked dove that had been hit by a car and I think that my ringneck caught the fly from that one.

Please has anyone got any ideas how to get rid of this thing?

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

They are very annoying and creepy! Get some of the permethrin poultry dip and mix it according to the chicken directions. Add a few drops of dawn dish soap so that it will cut through the oil in the feathers and really get them soaked in. Hold the bird in the dip up to its held for a minute or two, best holding the wings open a bit to get water under there. Then QUICKLY dunk the whole bird under and back out and it's done. It should kill flies, lice, and mites. Also when you give your birds a bath, put a tablespoon of borax per gallon of water. It's okay if they drink it but it helps prevent parasites and keeps their feathers nice and clean

 

[jak2002003]

Thank you for a advise. I am off to get some of the chicken permethrin stuff today. I hope I can find it as I live in Northern Thailand and they don't stock many of the same products as in the UK. I will treat all my birds to that back - even my chickens, just as a precaution.

I really hate that fly thing! I am not afraid of any animal, spider, insects, etc but that pigeon fly really freaks me out!