Lice and meat birds

[phoenixmama]

So, the biggest of my meat chickens are ready to go. I processed the four biggest ones today and noticed lice. I was wondering if I can use the pesticide dust on the smaller ones safely (since they won't be processed for a few more weeks). Is there some sort of withdrawal period for the different kinds of poultry dust? Is the lice even that big of a deal since they are going to be butchered anyway?

 

[jaku]

I would definitely avoid giving them anything- you're raising your own birds to AVOID chemicals, right? Personally, I'm not comfortable with "safe" levels of chemicals remaining at processing time. I say leave them with lice.

 

[bigredfeather]

You could try powdering them with DE. It may not be quite as effective, but it should help with a few applications. :scratching my head

 

[dancingbear]

I keep a selection of herbs and essential oils around all the time. Some of them are amazingly effective as pesticides. Here's a mixture that works on plant pests, is safe to use around and on pets and birds, won't hurt you or your kids. Wouldn't be a problem on a meat animal or bird. It might very well work on bird lice and mites, too, it's worth a try. You could brush some lice off a bird onto a piece of paper or something, and spray them, to see if this will kill them. I put about a TBS. of vodka in a trigger-spray bottle, added 10 drops EO of lavender, and about 30 drops of orange oil, and 3 or 4 drops of dish soap. Shake well. Added water to fill the bottle, it's about a half-pint, shake well again. The alcohol and the soap act as emulsifiers to keep the oils from separating from the water.

I brought some plants indoors from the garden this fall, to extend the pepper season. Yesterday I found aphids and whiteflies all over them. I sprayed the plants, it killed the aphids and whiteflies very quickly. And it smells nice. Makes a very effective household deodorizing cleaner, too, even diluted to about 1/4 strength. I mixed it strong for the plants, to kill the bugs.

Most health food stores would carry both lavender and orange oils, they're usually not very expensive.

 

[Bossroo]

FYI...A drop or two of liquid dish soap, a little water put into a spray bottle.. the spray will kill the aphids on plants.

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
Good to know, thanks. Do you know if it will kill bird lice?

 

[Bossroo]

Quote:
Good to know, thanks. Do you know if it will kill bird lice?

Not a chance. Try diatomatious earth for dust baths... their sharp edges will slice and dice them or clog up their pores and choke them ! More stronger powders are available for Chemical warfare .

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
Good to know, thanks. Do you know if it will kill bird lice?

Not a chance. Try diatomatious earth for dust baths... their sharp edges will slice and dice them or clog up their pores and choke them ! More stronger powders are available for Chemical warfare .

Ok, thanks. I don't do chemical warfare such as sevin, or other pesticides. I'll try my EO's, next time I see any lice. Don't hold your breathe, though, I haven't had a visible infestation in about 10 years. Mainly I just spray the coop with whatever home-made concoction I'm using, usually some combo of water, boric acid powder, (boric acid has about the same toxicity level as table salt) and herb, such as neem. Orange oil kills carpenter bees and other insects, so it will probably kill bird lice. D-limonene is extracted from citrus peels, it kills all manner of insects. Though these things aren't going to poison you, it's a good idea to wear a mask when spraying, as they would be very irritating to your breathing passages, much like pepper, cinnamon, lemon juice, and any number of other non-toxic irritants would be.