Lice, worms & baby chicks

[buterflysbeauty]

I have treated my flock with poultry protector 3 days in a row. Had 1 mama hen brooding so sprayed her as best i could. No build up on feathers that i could see on above but could see the lice on one hen. I ended up having to take the chicks from my broody after she injured 2. The second injuref chick died this morning and when I went too go bury him he had at least 5 lice on his little head. I haven't noticed any on the other 4 chicks, nor on the 3 5week old chicks in the brooder next to them. Also while locking up tonight I noticed on top of my wood ash bucket in water (it rained like crazy today) was a whip/round worm! No poo just a 3" or so long thin worm......
It was recommended to use sevindust on my coop and birds BUT I have read that is very unsafe. Our goal is for our flock and farm to be certified organic so what are our options for the older hens and for the new babies that are only 1 day old?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry about your chick.

If you are seeing an active infestation and what you're using is not effective, it's best to use a Permethrin based poultry spray or dust. Since you have tiny chicks as well, the spray would probably be easier to use and control application. You could dip a qtip in the liquid and apply it to the back of the neck, under the wings and at the vent of each chick.

As for these being organic, I really don't know...you would have to do some research to determine if they are or not.
There may be some "natural" methods on blogs like Tilly's Nest or Fresh Eggs Daily - but I just don't know how effective they would be with an active infestation.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pesticides-approved-for-poultry-in-the-us.1151513/

 

[lazy gardener]

My understanding is that permethrin has to have contact with the pest in order to kill it. Spot application will not be effective. I could be wrong!

You also need to remove and destroy all bedding, clean the coop thoroughly, treat ALL the birds, and repeat the whole process in a week to 10 days to destroy any pests that hatch after the first treatment.

Be sure you find out exactly what pest you are dealing with. Is it lice, or is it red mites??? big difference, though I'm guessing treatment is similar.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My understanding is that permethrin has to have contact with the pest in order to kill it. Spot application will not be effective. I could be wrong!

You also need to remove and destroy all bedding, clean the coop thoroughly, treat ALL the birds, and repeat the whole process in a week to 10 days to destroy any pests that hatch after the first treatment.

Be sure you find out exactly what pest you are dealing with. Is it lice, or is it red mites??? big difference, though I'm guessing treatment is similar.

Oh dear.... @lazy gardener you have asked a good question.
So far I have looked at 2 liquid permethrin labels and both say to spray with a fine mist at a rate of 1/2oz.(mixed solution) per bird.
I have poultry dust, so I grabbed my can it is a 2lb can - application on poultry is 1lb. per 100birds. Well...all I can say is ooops...I have used it over the last year or so to sprinkle in the coop, this spring I dusted my birds as a preventative (couldn't find any critters) but I must say I most likely used way more than I should have - no one has keeled over, so....

Here's another thing that the OP can try - I helped someone a while back that had a Silkie with chicks that were infested. She was concerned about treating such small babies, so she opted to give all the littles baths. She used Original Dawn in her bath water - she had critters floating in the water and needed to change it with each chick. If I remember correctly she bathed the babies 2x over a period of a few days. She did bathe Mom and then treated her with spray. She also relocated Mom and babies to a tub inside with clean bedding and changed it several times, while she focused on treating her coop with a Permethrin based spray.

 

[azygous]

One of the OP's questions was what would be considered organic as well as safe.

Spinosad was granted organic status by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) in 2003. I use a product call Elector PSP and while pricey, I'm extremely happy with its results.

I treated my flock of two dozen a single time in early spring for a lice infestation and now it's mid-July and there is no sign of recurrence.

It's also very effective in treating stubborn mites and other insects, even ants. In fact, I used it just this week around my hummingbird feeders to stop the ants from invading the feeders. It's safe for animals and birds, and won't even harm honey bees.

Unlike most insecticides, it works by enzymatic action. You can treat soil, inside of coops and runs, and either spray or dip your chickens. It's concentrated and a tiny amount makes a lot. After the first purchase which may be a tad painful to your wallet, you won't need to buy more for years.

 

[buterflysbeauty]

Thank you for the suggestions! I did look at elector psp and cringed at the price. We did end up spraying the coop with liquid permethrin. I can't let them suffer because i can't afford the spinosad. I have 3 four week old chicks and a mama in the main coop too. I don't want them sick from these nasty bugs. It is hard because yippy want to avoid chemicals at all costs but sometimes it is necessary. At least that is what i keep telling myself!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sometimes we have to do what's necessary for the health of the flock.

Avoiding chemicals is a good thing when you can. Getting the coop cleaned and treated would be a priority since a lot of these critters can be hiding in there waiting on their next meal.

Broodies do seem to get infested more easily since they don't preen and take as many dust baths as they normally would. I don't know where you are housing Mama and chicks, but if possible, offer them a place to take a dust bath - if you have wood ash add a little to the dust bathing areas.

 

[Folly's place]

Pyrethrin is labeled for organic flocks; I have no experience with it. Permethrin spray is safe and effective, and easy to use, and VERY inexpensive. Spinosad is effective but way too pricey, when permethrin is the other choice! Carbaryl is NOT approved for use in poultry, so just avoid it. Mary

 

[buterflysbeauty]

Sometimes we have to do what's necessary for the health of the flock.

Avoiding chemicals is a good thing when you can. Getting the coop cleaned and treated would be a priority since a lot of these critters can be hiding in there waiting on their next meal.

Broodies do seem to get infested more easily since they don't preen and take as many dust baths as they normally would. I don't know where you are housing Mama and chicks, but if possible, offer them a place to take a dust bath - if you have wood ash add a little to the dust bathing areas.

Brownie Alice and her chicks are in with the rest of the flock. They free range with them too. They have several dust bathing spots around. I will mix up more wood ash though for the spot in their run though.

I did spray the whole flock (under feathers on the neck, above vent, coated legs with the roost and a quick spray on the feathers from neck to tail. I made sure to get my broody hen good and only lightly sprayed brownie since the 3 chicks were under her. I did NOT spray them. Changed nest box bedding, sprayed those amd mister the coop litter. Fingers crossed!