Lice infestation! How do I remove the nits???

[406JLW]

Yep, this is another reason why free ranging your flocks makes so much sense. It isn't a issue at all. The flock treats themselves....less stress for you and the flock, and healthier less stressed birds that lay better and have their freedom. Kinda win, win, win....you, the flock, and their health.

The flocks best interest and the eggs they provide, is why we have a backyard flock, eh?

~ bigzio

I have free range chickens with lots of dusting space and have discovered lice. I generally check/dust them in the with and give them ash to dust themselves because they spend more time in the coop, but summer I generally don't have an issue. I just picked up a hen and the nits are aweful. I'm feeling bad I haven't checked in a while.

 

[bigzio]

5% sevin dust added to their dusting areas is yours and their best friend. It has to be 5% and not anything else. Don't over do it....it does wonders with a little amount. The birds really suffer....you need to rid them from the flock.

 

[cmom]

Sevin isn't approved anymore for use on poultry but I have used it. Permethrin is and there is no egg withdrawal period. I used a fine toothed comb and combed what I could out of the feathers. No insecticide kills the eggs so repeat treatments are necessary to kill them as they hatch out. Good luck...

 

[bigzio]

It really does not matter if it is approved or not...it works! My birds are healthy and vermin free, and I use 5% sevin dust in their dusting areas from time to time, it's all that's needed. Use approved products if they work for you.....my flocks are superior to most health wise....their best interests are mine also. I have hens that make it to 12 years old and more.....I know what I'm doing! I don't need byc badges for support to my quality management practices. I've raised poultry since 1971 and could educate most on this forum.

Stay Safe, Have Fun...bigz

 

[Mosey2003]

I found a mousse on Amazon that is meant to dissolve the glue that holds the nits on and just tried it Tuesday. It really seemed to do a decent job! I was able to get the majority of nits off, so hopefully repeated permethrin sprays now will really knock the issue out. Of course, I stripped and treated the coop and nests and dust areas as well.

 

[Alleycat923]

Thanks, you guys! We've already taken care of the actual lice, by using DE, as well as an insectizide for poultry. My question is, though, how to get the nits off of them, since they're rockhard, and basically fused with the feather shafts. It looks like the only way to get them off, is to pull out the feathers, which of course I really don't want to do...

Did you ever get a valid response? I have same situation. Thanks