Ivermectin

[rockgirl365]

Is it safe to use ivermectin injection for cattle and swine on poultry? If so, would I need to withdraw eggs? Should I use it only if I see bugs on the chicken or should I vaccinate my whole flock with it even if they show no signs of bugs on them?

One of my chickens passed away within the last two weeks. She was a crested cream legbar. She had her wings drooping down and mites under her tail. Maybe it was lice. Either way I obviously don't want it to happen again so I heard Ivermectin is good. Went to Tractor Supply and they only had some for cattle and swine. I bought a small bottle.

PS I also changed my coop cleaning and water refill schedule to twice a week instead of once a week. I only have three birds in a coop that can hold 8.

 

[Wezdin]

You will want to use permetherin to get rid of lice, not ivermectin.

 

[Folly's place]

Permethrin spray is easiest to use, both in the coop and on the birds. permethrin powder works fine too, but can't cover walls in the coop as the spray does.
Ivermectin is a lovely drug, but not approved for chickens, because it will be in the eggs for a fairly long time. After ten days or so the levels in eggs will be lower, but still present, not a good thing.
Take the Ivermectin back and get the permethrin spray concentrate, or the dust. There's no egg withdrawal using permethrin.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

With ivermectin, the official egg withdrawal is 'forever' because it's an unapproved drug for this species.
People do use it for their poultry, but it makes more sense to use an approved drug that is very effective, no egg withdrawal, and much less expensive too!
Mary

 

[Maiahr]

We use Ivermectin orally, we put it in the water - 1ml per 1 lit of water, except our % could be different and I don't have it right now at home to check what's on the bottle. Chicken need to drink it for 3 days, clears both worms and external parasites. Egg withdrawal is 7-10 days after they finish drinking the water.
But yes, I would recommend permethrin based products as well. Spray the coop and the chicken. Repeat after 3 days...and after another 3 days...

 

[FoxySonia]

We use Ivermectin orally, we put it in the water - 1ml per 1 lit of water, except our % could be different and I don't have it right now at home to check what's on the bottle. Chicken need to drink it for 3 days, clears both worms and external parasites. Egg withdrawal is 7-10 days after they finish drinking the water.
But yes, I would recommend permethrin based products as well. Spray the coop and the chicken. Repeat after 3 days...and after another 3 days...

Which Ivermectin did you use?

I'm afraid to use permethrin in the chicken coop because sometimes one of my cats like to sneak in there when I let them go out to the yard. I'm afraid it would get on their skin and they'd like it off and get poisoned.

My cat Leo in one of the nesting boxes. He got in while I was cleaning/scooping the coop's sand. I had just dusted the nesting boxes with DE, so had to wipe it off him.

 

[Folly's place]

Once the permethrin spray is dry your cats should be safe. Definitely don't have any cats present when you do spray!
Mary

 

[Chickenwithnobrim]

Do more research on cats and permethrin. It's unlikely to affect the cat, but on the small chance that it does, the effects are devestating. If you are in the states, I would suggest looking into sporasin. It's expensive, but it's basically all you need for years and years, possibly life. I'm in Canada and the only thing available is ivermectin if it is prescribed by a vet.

 

[FoxySonia]

Once the permethrin spray is dry your cats should be safe. Definitely don't have any cats present when you do spray!
Mary

I still fear my cats investing the permethrin from the poultry dust I sprinkle in the coop and nest boxes. If it gets on their fur they'll lick it off and ingest the poison. So I'm looking for safer alternatives.

 

[FoxySonia]

Do more research on cats and permethrin. It's unlikely to affect the cat, but on the small chance that it does, the effects are devestating. If you are in the states, I would suggest looking into sporasin. It's expensive, but it's basically all you need for years and years, possibly life. I'm in Canada and the only thing available is ivermectin if it is prescribed by a vet.

Thank you, Chickenwithnobrim. I will look for Sporasin.