How do I treat chicken lice?

[Hross1213]

There are many different suggestions of how much permethrin per gallon of water. Some of my birds had severe mites and lice last year. I didn't react as quickly as I should have because it was also the time of year when the birds molt so I thought some of the feather loss was from molting but upon further investigation I discovered mites in one coop. I sprayed all of the coops as a prevention. I originally sprayed 2 ounces of permethrin concentrate to a good gallon of water. I sprayed every crack and crevice in the affected coop as well on and under the roosts in and outside of the nest boxes, walls, ceilings, floors, everywhere. First I cleaned out the coop and gave the birds affected baths with flea soap. It did help but I don't think it got rid of all of the pests. I started spraying weekly for awhile because the permethrins does not kill the pests eggs. No harm has come to the birds and the mites and lice are gone. I still do a spray during the warm weather once every two weeks but in cold weather once a month as a prevention. Wild birds, squirrels and such can introduce the pests. I had some wild birds trying to build nest in a couple of the coops so I think that may have been where the original pest came from. Now I put permethrin dust in the nest boxes instead of spray. Originally I did go into the coop when the birds were roosting and gave them a spray. So far so good and no more pests. Good luck...

 

[Hross1213]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I sprayed my birds and coop THOROUGHLY!!! I still see eggs on my roo but I’m watching everybody closely. This has been just awful. Hopefully I can get it under control.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you so much for your reply! I have not been able to get a picture of my roo’s hiney and his bare keel because I’ve been playing vet by myself. I was able to find out from another thread to use 19ml of 10% permethrin per gallon of water. I sprayed all 8 birds and cleaned out and sprayed the coop and run 2 weekends ago. Even though I don’t see the lice (tiny narrow reddish things) crawling, my roo still has hundreds of those egg casings around his vent and going up his belly. Do I need to treat them again at intervals? What about natural remedies? I’m using ACV and garlic. Some nesting box herbs and herbal dewormer. I want to stay away from anything harsh, but I would be devastated(( if something bad happened to any one of my babies. I have to be RID of this awfulness!!!

If you can trim the feathers that have the eggs that will help a lot. Coconut oil can be put on the eggs to help unglue them from feathers too - it will take a while to do that.
Generally you will want to follow the label instructions of any product you are using, but if I remember correctly lice have a 7-10 day cycle of hatching. Most people repeat treatment of birds and coop in 7-10 days a couple of times to get rid of them.

ACV, Garlic, herbs etc. are not effective treatments for lice/mite infestation or for deworming.
If you think your flock has worms, it would be best to consult a vet to have a fecal float or treat them yourself using an Anthelmintic like Fenbendazole (Safeguard) or Valbazen. You can find Safeguard at Tractor supply while you will need to order Valbazen. If you decide to go that route, let us know and we will help you with dosing.

 

[Hross1213]

If you can trim the feathers that have the eggs that will help a lot. Coconut oil can be put on the eggs to help unglue them from feathers too - it will take a while to do that.
Generally you will want to follow the label instructions of any product you are using, but if I remember correctly lice have a 7-10 day cycle of hatching. Most people repeat treatment of birds and coop in 7-10 days a couple of times to get rid of them.

ACV, Garlic, herbs etc. are not effective treatments for lice/mite infestation or for deworming.
If you think your flock has worms, it would be best to consult a vet to have a fecal float or treat them yourself using an Anthelmintic like Fenbendazole (Safeguard) or Valbazen. You can find Safeguard at Tractor supply while you will need to order Valbazen. If you decide to go that route, let us know and we will help you with dosing.

 

[Hross1213]

Ok thank you! The guy at tractor supply recommended Wazine for deworming last year. I bought it but never used it. Is that the same as fenbendazole? Could I use it safely for that? What’s the dose? I know there’s an egg withdrawal period.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Ok thank you! The guy at tractor supply recommended Wazine for deworming last year. I bought it but never used it. Is that the same as fenbendazole? Could I use it safely for that? What’s the dose? I know there’s an egg withdrawal period.

Wazine (Piperazine) will only treat roundworms. Dosing information is on the packaging.

No it's not the same as Fenbendazole.

 

[Hross1213]

Wazine (Piperazine) will only treat roundworms. Dosing information is on the packaging.

No it's not the same as Fenbendazole.

 

[Hross1213]

Thank you! I’ll pick up some safeguard. And NOW I have an 8 month old bantam that started with listlessness and vomiting thin brown stuff yesterday. I have her in a crate at home. I’m thinking sour/slow crop? She’s drinking. I’ve withheld food for now. Crop was full this morning
I’ve read the excellent article here on BYC about impacted crop but I’m not really sure how to proceed. She’s had two watery fouler than normal poos.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you! I’ll pick up some safeguard. And NOW I have an 8 month old bantam that started with listlessness and vomiting thin brown stuff yesterday. I have her in a crate at home. I’m thinking sour/slow crop? She’s drinking. I’ve withheld food for now. Crop was full this morning
I’ve read the excellent article here on BYC about impacted crop but I’m not really sure how to proceed. She’s had two watery fouler than normal poos.

I'm sorry you seem to be having so many problems.
Can you post photos of the sick pullet?
What do you feed, including treats?
Oyster shell and grit (crushed granite) - those are provided free choice?

Do you know when your pullet last laid an egg?
If she is listless and has fluids running out of her beak, then yes - there is a crop problem. You need to address that. Withholding food is good, but she does need to have water during the day.
Can you massage or feel the crop and tell us what that's like - hard, soft, squishy, doughy, etc.?
If she has not laid an egg in a few days, it would be a good idea to feel the abdomen for any bloat/swelling.

Not sure what article you found, but this is a good one that quick and easy to read - hopefully it will get you on the right track.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[Hross1213]

The first photo is from yesterday when I found her. She had been free ranging with the rest but when she hopped up on the nest she had her eyes closed and when I picked her up she spit up thin brown stuff. I noticed brownish spots by that nest box and thought it was poo. Now i think it was her vomit. She eats a layer feed with a calcium supplement in it. I give scratch grains daily and other veggie and fruit treats (greens, grapes, apples, bananas) several times a week. The other day I gave them some walnuts that I crushed with my fingers. Could that be it?? . They get oyster shell calcium and their own egg shells for supplement. I moved them into a new coop in late Jan with a sand floor. I’ve checked her abdomen. It doesn’t feel squishy like ascites, however I don’t know when she last laid an egg. She is not squatting. This morning she was more alert and drinking water. Her crop felt full and not hard, but firm. The last two photos are from this morning. Thank you so much for everything!!!