Lost half the flock to Lice/Mites

[HelveticaTheBold]

I'm not a new chicken keeper but I'm new to sick chickens. Older chickens have lived happily for years. We moved to a new property in mid December. Cleaned out the coop but didn't spray it down or do anything that we (in retrospect) should have done. I'm kicking myself.

Just before we moved to the new place we got some new chickens as the new run was so much bigger. Withheld the new ones, dusted them etc.

Went on holiday a week and a half again and my inlaws came down to watch the chickens. They've died in droves since we went away. On Saturday they took some dying chickens to the vet and were told that the chickens are covered in lice/mites. They also have a respiratory infection.

We've lost half the flock and more are sick and dying. It's devastating. Devastating. Especially since we are away.

I'm based in Australia, I've read lots about Permathrin but can't seem to see much online about buying it here. Does anyone know of a brand name I should be looking for? Or is it just generic Permethrin and it works on ants the same as it does for chicken lice?

Also does anyone have an idiots guide for keeping it all lice free?

Finally where can they have come from? Why didn't I see the lice and why is it now so bad that the chickens are dying in droves?

It's been a rubbish holiday. Inlays are blaming me, I'm upset and should have done something different but what?

Edited: my father in law isn’t sure if she said lice or mites. I’m assuming mites based of what I’ve read. The humans said they were crawling in bugs after powdering the chooks.

 

[Shadrach]

I'm not a new chicken keeper but I'm new to sick chickens. Older chickens have lived happily for years. We moved to a new property in mid December. Cleaned out the coop but didn't spray it down or do anything that we (in retrospect) should have done. I'm kicking myself.

Just before we moved to the new place we got some new chickens as the new run was so much bigger. Withheld the new ones, dusted them etc.

Went on holiday a week and a half again and my inlaws came down to watch the chickens. They've died in droves since we went away. On Saturday they took some dying chickens to the vet and were told that the chickens are covered in lice. She didn't say what kind, she just said lice. They also have a respiratory infection.

We've lost half the flock and more are sick and dying. It's devastating. Devastating. Especially since we are away.

I'm based in Australia, I've read lots about Permathrin but can't seem to see much online about buying it here. Does anyone know of a brand name I should be looking for? Or is it just generic Permethrin and it works on ants the same as it does for chicken lice?

Also does anyone have an idiots guide for keeping it all lice free?

Finally where can they have come from? Why didn't I see the lice and why is it now so bad that the chickens are dying in droves?

It's been a rubbish holiday. Inlays are blaming me, I'm upset and should have done something different but what?

I don't know what is available as a delouser for chickens in Australia.
I just can't see how even a bad louse infestation would kill multiple chickens.
Lice don't penetrate the skin.
Didn't your vet either provide you with something to combat the lice or even make a recommendation?
What about the respiratory problems? Did the vet not advise you on treatment for this?
It seems more likely that it's the respiratory infection that is killing your chickens.
A generic Permethrin will do but you will need to seek advice on the dosage etc depending on what form and strength you get.

 

[Rammy]

My chickens got lice real bad because idiot me rescued a bunch of chickens from someone who had died and grandson was giving away over 40 hens.
Instead of quaratening them first, I threw them in with my existing flock. Few weeks later, they had lice. I used pymethrine to hose down the coop, twice. I got seven dust and pymethrin dust and dusted the chickens ever night for a month to get rid of them. Had to search for nits and pull out the feathers and burn them. I kicked myself for months after that.
Ive seen stuff you can order onlinr for lice, but some of it is from England and wont ship to the U.S.
I didnt lose any hens to lice so I also feel it probably was something else that killed them. The stress of getting lice could of weakened their immune system and allowed for the respitory to get them.
Sorry for your loss. It wasnt your fault.

 

[HelveticaTheBold]

Right, my father in law can’t actually remember if she said lice or mites (I checked just then with hK . He does remember the vet saying the mites/lice have sucked the life out of the birds. I guess it’s made it easier for the repository infection to take hold.

Vet gave him a few cans of powder to dust the birds and said come back Tuesday(due to public holiday) and they’ll do a necropsy. She gave no further advice. It was a vet we don’t usually go to as they were open on a public holiday.

I just... it’s been gutting to be honest.

 

[Grits&Eggs]

So sorry, this has to be devastating, but don't blame yourself, stuff happens. Can you call the vet and get the real story? Sounds like you need answers to start moving in the right direction. Good luck!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I am so sorry for your losses! Bear hugs!

 

[Folly's place]

I'm so sorry for your losses!
Either mites or lice can cause fatal anemia if the infestation is that serious, and I've lost birds to both in the past. Having a respiratory infection can't have helped either!
Your new birds may have brought either or both problems, and I hope you can get ahead of this mess. There must be insecticides available for poultry where you live! Permethrin spray works well here, and other products will work fine too. Protect yourself from any spray or dust you use, with at least a good face mask, gloves, and clothing.
Respiratory illnesses can be awful, and getting a diagnosis would be best, so you can have a plan moving forward.
All the best,
Mary