Lice/mites on chickens

[starriskyy]

I seem to have these little white, fast moving bugs on the heads of my chickens....want to properly get rid of them but not sure what to use...I am a more of a "natural remedy" type person but willing to use anything that is safe and effective. can anyone give me advice? thanks!

 

[Eggcessive]

That sounds like lice since mites are slow moving. With an infestation, permethrin or sevin dust are best to use for treatment. Eggs will hatch every 10 days so the eggs will have to be removed at the vase of the feathers with coconut oil, or retreatment. Remove all bedding in nests and coop, and treat coop with permethrin 10% spray. Check them frequently to make sure that eggs are not present. There are 3 kinds of lice, some affect the vent area, head and neck, and some under wings, so check those areas as well. They are more common in summer and fall, and not always easy to get rid of. Many people can bring them in with a new bird.

 

[starriskyy]

Thank you so much!!! I was concerned about then hopping on me, but I heard they are bird specific... Is this true? I will get to work right away treating. My birds aren't necessarily cooperative when it comes to handling them, and I have 13.....guess I'm going to figure out a way! I also have a turkey that has them as well. They live together (I am aware of blackhead but they have been living together for 4 months now with no problems.) I'm hoping the same treatment will do the trick. Also, the lice seem to be prevalent in their heads, but I haven't checked their vents yet.