Lice Infestation in flock

[Ebz5003]

Hello. I have been noticing a single bare patcg on the necks of multiple hens and roosters in my flock, and finally got to see lice on multiple birds today, but no eggs on pin feathers. I would like some advice on a treatment for my birds that would not require me to have to get rid of their eggs for a while, as I am selling the eggs. Also, are there any natural treatments that will cure infestations on individual birds? I have put diatomacious earth in their dust bathing and high traffic areas and plan to do a deep cleaning of the coops. What cleaning products are good to use for this, that are also safe for the chickens? Also, Ive been noticing that a few young hens really do not lay many eggs. Could the lice be causing this? Thank you

 

[coach723]

Permethrin products, or Elector PSP are the usual treatments for lice/mites. Permethrin is more affordable. There is no egg withdrawl using that. You can treat the birds, and the coop with it. You will need to clean out the coop, discard all bedding and nesting material (burn if possible or seal up in plastic bags and discard), spray all surfaces, get into all the nooks and crannies. Lice are more likely to stick to the birds, mites will infest everywhere in the coop, it's better to be safe than sorry, clean everything out. You will need to retreat at weekly intervals until you know you've gotten them all. Lice nits will often be at the base of feathers around the vent or neck, or under wings.
This link has pictures, and treatment options/instructions:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/
I do see broken feather shafts, so wonder if you have feather picking going on, possibly on the roosts. That can be from over crowding or boredom. How many birds do you have, in how much space?

 

[nuthatched]

Diotomaeceous Earth won't do anything and is harmful for you and your birds to breathe.
It looks like they're also picking each other.

 

[Ebz5003]

Permethrin products, or Elector PSP are the usual treatments for lice/mites. Permethrin is more affordable. There is no egg withdrawl using that. You can treat the birds, and the coop with it. You will need to clean out the coop, discard all bedding and nesting material (burn if possible or seal up in plastic bags and discard), spray all surfaces, get into all the nooks and crannies. Lice are more likely to stick to the birds, mites will infest everywhere in the coop, it's better to be safe than sorry, clean everything out. You will need to retreat at weekly intervals until you know you've gotten them all. Lice nits will often be at the base of feathers around the vent or neck, or under wings.
This link has pictures, and treatment options/instructions:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/
I do see broken feather shafts, so wonder if you have feather picking going on, possibly on the roosts. That can be from over crowding or boredom. How many birds do you have, in how much space?

Thanks for the great info and the article with video and link to Elector psp are great. Does Elector psp involve egg withdrawal?

 

[coach723]

I've not used it, but I don't think there is egg withdrawl.