Lice

[CrazyChickeyLady]

I've got about 16 so far and we had a rough time during the snow storm. They all got lice but one didn't kick it off so easily. Weather cleared and my girls were rolling in diatomaceous and have been fine but one was so poorly she needed my help. I ended up trying a whole other product to dust her and they all went running off. She's finally getting color back in her comb and doesn't fall asleep non stop. During the crazy process we kind of bonded and she's now my little shadow. I let her perch on my arm today and decided to look her over. She's so matted from when she was infested and I cant find anything to tell me what to do with it. Will a nice soapy bath help? Also is there anything else I can do to speed up her recovery? I've tried lots of table scraps and veggies and fruits in case she needs a boost but she just refuses. Won't even taste it.

 

[coach723]

What did you treat with? Can you post some pictures of the matted areas? In focus and close enough that they can be seen clearly? Lice nits will be in clumps at the base of feathers. Pictures in link below.
One treatment is not usually enough to get rid of them. You need to treat the birds and clean and treat the coop also, usually at least 3 times at 7 day intervals in order to get all the eggs that continue to hatch. All bedding and nesting material needs to be removed, discarded and replaced after treatment.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[CrazyChickeyLady]

What did you treat with? Can you post some pictures of the matted areas? In focus and close enough that they can be seen clearly? Lice nits will be in clumps at the base of feathers. Pictures in link below.
One treatment is not usually enough to get rid of them. You need to treat the birds and clean and treat the coop also, usually at least 3 times at 7 day intervals in order to get all the eggs that continue to hatch. All bedding and nesting material needs to be removed, discarded and replaced after treatment.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

This is what I'm using and I purchased a spray too. The spray is for the coop too. I've been keeping it changed and have a stock pile of flakes. I am afraid about the dust though. The way the lice ran from her I'm worried about using it often. If anyone has advice on it I'd like that too. I'll try to get pictures in the morning but I'm honestly not sure how to make that happen.

 

[coach723]

The poultry dust should be effective. The main ingredient in the poultry protector is often used as a preservative, and in insect repellents. I'd not really depend on it to take care of a lice infestation. A spray with permethrin would be better. They are available at many feed stores and tractor supply stores, some are ready to spray, some are concentrates that you mix with water, instructions on the bottle for poultry. One I get pictured below. I prefer spray for the coop, you can do either the powder or the spray for the birds. But if you don't do the treatments at least three times at weekly intervals (and sometimes longer if you are still seeing evidence) then you will just continually see them coming back. In really bad infestations the birds can become anemic, weak, and in some cases it can be fatal. Birds that are weakened by other health issues often seem to be stricken with lice or mites also. The more expensive Elector PSP is purported to be very effective and can work with only one treatment. It is substantially more expensive, so many prefer permethrin products for that reason. You can get the Elector PSP at some online retailers, one here:
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...MIy___nJi27wIVFEqGCh3RzwDpEAQYASABEgKSW_D_BwE

 

[CrazyChickeyLady]

The poultry dust should be effective. The main ingredient in the poultry protector is often used as a preservative, and in insect repellents. I'd not really depend on it to take care of a lice infestation. A spray with permethrin would be better. They are available at many feed stores and tractor supply stores, some are ready to spray, some are concentrates that you mix with water, instructions on the bottle for poultry. One I get pictured below. I prefer spray for the coop, you can do either the powder or the spray for the birds. But if you don't do the treatments at least three times at weekly intervals (and sometimes longer if you are still seeing evidence) then you will just continually see them coming back. In really bad infestations the birds can become anemic, weak, and in some cases it can be fatal. Birds that are weakened by other health issues often seem to be stricken with lice or mites also. The more expensive Elector PSP is purported to be very effective and can work with only one treatment. It is substantially more expensive, so many prefer permethrin products for that reason. You can get the Elector PSP at some online retailers, one here:
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail...MIy___nJi27wIVFEqGCh3RzwDpEAQYASABEgKSW_D_BwE
View attachment 2573251

Oh we sell that! I can use my employee discount. Hopefully it's not too bad. I haven't powdered her again but honestly I was paranoid and unsure how often I could use it which is why I got the spray but if I can dust weekly I'll do that no problem. I've become attached so it's worth the effort. Everyone else seems to be ok but I planned on spraying them all as a precaution. They kind of shun her so there's not been much interaction with this flock. I made her a little warm place and roost and she seemed to thrive. Color is coming back so I see it as a plus. Thank you so much for helping. I don't know what I'd do without this community

 

[CluckerFamily]

The matted parts could be lice eggs. They will continue to hatch so you will need to continue to apply either the powder or the permethrin that was suggested. Hope she perks back up soon!

 

[Ryguy3684]

The permethrin worked for me, last fall. It took care of the lice, on the birds and in the coop/run, very effectively. I brought in a new bird and didn't notice he had lice until everyone had them.
For you hen that's still sluggish. Try Nutridrench or Rooster Booster. The Nutridrench can be given straight, 1 ml per pound of body weight, with the provided dropper, and it provides a boost of energy and essential vitamins. It should be available at your local feed store, and online. It's always good to have on hand. Good luck.