Houston - We have a problem...

[SavageDestiny]

I am sorry you're having to deal with this but I have to say, LOVED reading your narrative! Hilarious.

One good thing that will come of this is your chickens will get more used to being handled. Mine weren't particularly tame when I got them, and they also had lice. Our dusting routine helped them get used to me, and now they just take manhandling as par for the course. And no Satan chickens!

 

[Judy]

Definitely the best laugh of the day!

It really is easier to pick them up off the roost after dark, one by one, when they aren't tame. That's what I do. And having two people helps a lot. Maybe if you can get set up to do it this way next time, you won't dust half your property at the same time.

If you didn't change out the bedding, the mites and eggs might still be in it. People definitely find they have to treat more than twice, sometimes.

I would think the Rotenone would kill the adults right away. The trouble is, these treatments usually don't harm any eggs, so they just keep on hatching. That's another aspect; you don't see Rotenone in lice/mite dusts in the US, at least not usually.

 

[Teila]

Well, that is a first for me .. don't think I have ever laughed quite so much reading about Lice. While I also am sorry you are going through this; I thank you for sharing your story and kudos on your sense of humour, classic!

I have had a run-in with Lice but nothing too major; broodies tend to be susceptible because some do not get out of the zone long enough to dust bath. My broody picked some up and a light dusting of Pestene fixed them up pretty smartly.

Once a month, as an out-break preventative, I sprinkle some Pestene onto their nest box straw. When they settle in, the dust rises and seems to do the trick. As I said, only ever had an issue with a broody and Pestene fixed it up straight away.

After this initial dousing you have given them, just a shake of dust under each wing as an out-break preventative will also help.

 

[Judy]

I do much the same, actually, sprinkle a little dust in the nest boxes maybe once a month.

 

[vehve]

So, what religion did you go with? And was the gown a success?

Also, what I forgot to mention earlier was that whenever you try to catch a chicken, it helps to imagine the Benny Hill theme playing in the background. Better yet, you could actually play the Benny Hill theme, this way if anyone happens to see you mid-catch-attempt, the youtube video won't need any scoring.

 

[krista74]

Thank you all for your comments! I must admit that if nothing else, I did enjoy writing about it. And with this sort of thing you have to either laugh or cry. I choose to laugh - even though it means inhaling more dust

I went and checked on everyone this evening at bedtime. They were all in the roost quietly clucking to each other, most likely talking about the day's events and planning how they can get out of it next week. If I arrive to find they have all tunnelled out of the coop 'The Great Escape' style, I will not be surprised in the slightest!

I can't imagine what the world of chickens has in store for me next. This was by far the most challenging event I have faced to date. I was reading my Chicken Keepers Handbook the other day, and came across some chickens who had become egg-bound. The suggestion was to "gently insert a greased finger into the vent and try to ease the egg out...."

YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!

Anyway, I must be off for now. It's getting late and tomorrow is another day. Time for me to have a valium and a lie down

Krista

 

[vehve]

I can't imagine what the world of chickens has in store for me next. This was by far the most challenging event I have faced to date. I was reading my Chicken Keepers Handbook the other day, and came across some chickens who had become egg-bound. The suggestion was to "gently insert a greased finger into the vent and try to ease the egg out...."

YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!

Krista

Ah, the joys of fisting a chicken...


Ok, I went too far with that one.

 

[andreanar]

Oh thank you for the morning chuckle! I can relate so much, imagining having to catch each of my chickens for a dust down! Lol. I hope the lice die die die!