Lice - Is DE a good method to kill?

[imthedude]

A few of our birds have lice. Do you guys use DE or something else to control the little critters?

 

[dawg53]

Sevin dust.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

DE does help to keep them at bay, but I would dust them well with Sevin first. Some folks use ivermectin, oil-based injectable but don't inject it. Put one drop between their shoulders and one just above their vent. It will keep lice and mites away...

 

[speckledhen]

I did use DE to kill lice on a rooster I bought years ago. It worked just fine. My flock has never had lice and didn't want them to get them, of course. I use DE in all nests and on occasion, dust the birds with it, but if I had more than a couple birds with lice, I think I'd go for the poultry dust or spray (pet stores carry lice/mite spray).

 

[imthedude]

i checked three or four of them today and found one buff with them but didn't see them on the rest of the girls. i'll give the DE a try and give the coop and nests a good dose. thanks!

 

[farmboydj]

i use DE and get grate results

 

[imthedude]

bump......do you also do a "whole coop clean" for lice or just dust the shavings in the coop and nests?

 

[littlethorn]

In my experience, DE helps but is not enough on its own to kill lice or mites. You need to use Sevin or Eprinex to completely wipe them out.

I am not fond of using chemicals but if it goes on for long enough, mites and such can kill your birds.

 

[OregonChickenGal]

I agree, Sevin 5% will do the trick.

 

[bragabit]

Could someone post a picture of what lice (chicken) looks like?