Lice and Mites

[ki4wvv]

What can a person do for lice and mites? My hens are irritable, scratching and plucking, one's head is getting bald. I've heard about Seven dust. Does it work? How do you apply it?

 

[couuntrygirl13]

You can put a bunch of dirt in an area and let them dust bathe.

 

[rahbeen]

You can put them in a pillowcase with there head out like shake n bake. I haven't tried this though. I think I would just sprinkle it on around there vents under wings and such but my chickens are tame. Just don't let them breathe in the dust. And sprinkle it in there pen and dusting area.

 

[triplepurpose]

I hold upside down and dust chicken with diatomaceous earth (DE), focusing on areas under the wings and around the vent and gently but thoroughly rubbing it into their feathers to get it against the skin where the mites are (why holding chicken head downward is helpful because of direction of feathers). Nontoxic (though you'll want to avoid inhaling it directly or getting it in your eyes) and whatever some nay-sayers say, it definitely works, though you are best repeating this treatment a couple of times if it's a severe case. Or put a box of it in the coop and let the chickens do it themselves. The pillowcase idea would work great too and be less messy--I never thought of that. Food grade DE (what you want) is pretty cheap, readily available, safe, useful for other aplications as well. A big bag is handy to have around and will last you a long time.

 

[SavageDestiny]

I tried DE and wood ash and neither worked for my girls. I hate using chemicals but they simply didn't work for me. I ended up getting some sulfur dust from the feed store and that did the trick! I hold each girl on her back in my lap, part feathers and sprinkle it on around the vent, up the belly a bit, and under the wings. I also rubbed coconut oil on egg clusters to smother them. Worked like a charm.

Don't forget to re-treat every 7-10 days for a little while to catch new ones as they hatch.

 

[Avent]

Can anyone tell me if this is Lice or Mites?