Lice in my chickens help!

[Sincityfarmgirl]

I noticed yesterday while doing my daily check over/bonding time with my flock that my silkie pullet had lice! I checked over my others and they dont seem to have the same issue(atleast not to where i can tell right away). How do I go about treating my flock (about 10 pullets) and removing the little critters effectively?

 

[Abriana]

DE can help. To get it all over the hen, put DE in a bag (it is very bad for your lungs so please wear a mask when doing this!) and then put the hen in the bag and support her legs and hold the mouth of the bag closed around her neck so that her head sticks out. Then fluff the DE around. You can also just sprinkle it on but this way gets it all through the feathers. You should do this on all of your birds. Also, sprinkle it through their bedding. Also if an internal parasite problem should ever arise, DE in their food should help or even completely clear up the issue, just for future reference! Good luck!

 

[pipermark]

you need to use the DE all over their roosting area too. Get your shop vac, take out the bag like you would for water, put food grade DE inside, insert hose into blow out hole, and you are smoking. Wear mask, most pests hate dry they love moist , good to control mites, lice and worms, DE drys the coop , pay special attention to where all the poop drops.

 

[Sincityfarmgirl]

Thank you guys! With the DE i should be able to get that at my local feed/ hardware store correct?

 

[theoldchick]

My favorite way to treat mites in a small flock is to bathe them in cat flea shampoo, rinse well, and dry thoroughly. You'll have to treat the area the live in, too. I use barn spray that is label for use with poultry. Make sure the treated area is thoroughly dry before returning the chickens. You'll most likely have to treat them several times (about a week apart) and maintain routine treatment.

 

[KJS]

Diatomaceous Earth can help as well! you can mix it into the shavings or just put it right onto the bird. The most common places for lice are near the vent and under the wings. The lice may lay eggs, Lice eggs are little clumps of white things attached to feathers under the beak. If you do find eggs pluck them of! Good luck getting rid of the lice!! Lice are so annoying!

 

[Abriana]

Thank you guys! With the DE i should be able to get that at my local feed/ hardware store correct?

I would think so, but if not, you can order it off amazon-which basically has everything. Lol!