How to treat chicken mites and lices

[luludaxia]

Seems that lices and mites can be got from wild birds. If you keep the chickens free ranging, how can you keep them free of mites and lices?

 

[mgbantams]

I dust my birds every once in a while to make sure they don't have mites.

 

[Eggcessive]

You can examine them at intervals. Pick them up weekly or monthly and just look at the skin under the vents, around neck, and under wings to look for signs. Chickens don't always get lice or mites. But bring in one bird with lice unknowingly, or a bale of straw with mites, and you have them. Permethrin powder or 10% spray is good for treatment if you ever have a problem.

 

[luludaxia]

I dust my birds every once in a while to make sure they don't have mites.

Thanks! How do you dust the birds?

 

[luludaxia]

You can examine them at intervals. Pick them up weekly or monthly and just look at the skin under the vents, around neck, and under wings to look for signs. Chickens don't always get lice or mites. But bring in one bird with lice unknowingly, or a bale of straw with mites, and you have them. Permethrin powder or 10% spray is good for treatment if you ever have a problem.

Thanks! If you use the powder, just scrub them all over the chickens?

 

[Eggcessive]

Don't use it unless you confirm lice or mites. Google lice and mites in chickens for pictures and what to look for. I just apply it lightly to the skin. Some use it in a stocking, and dust the skin. The coop and roosts must also be treated with permethrin 10% spray after bedding is removed from the floor and nests. Since lice hatch out every 10 days, treating the birds at least twice would be necessary, and frequently more. So, a lot of trouble to go to, unless there are actually lice or mites.

 

[mgbantams]

You can also dust them if you think there is a chance they picked up lice or mites. I always dust my birds when I bring them home from a show, just in case. It never causes me any trouble.