Mites or Lice? What to do?

[Losthorizons]

I've never had a problem with bugs on my chickens before - so I need some help. I've found tiny bugs on a few of my chickens. I'm guessing it's lice because they have what looks like nits from the pictures I've seen online. They might have mites too.

I used Prozap garden & poultry dust on them last night at bedtime - I put it mostly on the underside and vent area because that's where I saw the bugs and nits. Due to time constraints I haven't been able to clean the coops out - I will do that this weekend. I've read that I need to treat again in about 7 days. Should they all be dead at that time, or do I need to keep applying?

I'm going to buy some Permethrin spray for the coops - any recommended brand? I think it needs to be 10% is that correct? What do you suggest to clean the coop out? I've used vinegar water in the past.

I have a lot of areas in the run where they dust bath, and I also made some dust baths out of old tires - so I thought they were dusting enough to keep the bugs away. I use sand/ash/DE in the baths. Not sure why they got bugs if they are bathing. Anything else I can do to keep them away permanently? This is no fun at all

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

I don't think brand matters on the permethrin. I use it on my birds as well. just a quick spritz under the pits, near the vent, and at the nape of the neck. It's safe, effective, affordable and easy to use with no withdrawal time for eggs.

I would skip the DE since it isn't working, is dangerous and strip mined.

No such thing as keeping them away permanently IMO. They are part of the environment. Some locations have it worse than others and sometimes weather plays a major role.

 

[Losthorizons]

Do you use the spray as a preventative or just to kill the bugs when you see them? If a preventative, how often should I spray the coop and birds?

I was torn on using the DE, but thought if it kept the bugs away it was worth it - I don't think I will use it anymore. We had tons of rain this summer, so I think that was the problem.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Preventative is an interesting concept. See, people think their measures for prevention are working when in fact they just might not have that issue at all.

I only use it as needed because the parasites can develop resistance to it. And some seasons are worse than others. I try not to use what I don't need. But I would do the follow up treatment if it says to for whatever you are treating. And then maybe get in the habit of checking monthly. I don't believe it works for scaly leg mites or depluming mites, which neither are included on the label. But it has worked great for lice and standard mites.

Mine was bought in little trigger spray bottle (maybe 10 oz premixed) labeled horse fly spray to keep mosquitoes off my goats and dogs. The chicken uses were a pleasant surprise. With 2 goats, 3 dogs and 60+ chickens that small bottle has lasted more than a year.

 

[Losthorizons]

That makes sense - I agree with what you're saying, only use it when needed. I just need to get better about checking my chickens more often. I thought I was doing a good job because I didn't see any bugs... that is until I finally saw them, yuck - I wasn't looking far enough down where the nits were hiding.

 

[Losthorizons]

I have another question - do you bath your chickens on a regular basis? Or only when you see a problem, such as a dirty butt.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

i dont bath my birds ever
and ivermectin can work as well if you have a difficult strain of mites

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Well, some of what you are on the look out for is microscopic and so you will NEVER see them.

I try to check monthly. I never bathe my birds unless I suspect egg binding or had a couple get broken eggs dried to their chest real good. And yes sometimes when I see poo butt.

Beyond that chickens use the oil from their preen gland and spread on the feathers to help protect from the weather and such. So bathing too often could leave them defenseless.

It's OK that you finally saw the bugs. To me that says you ARE doing a good job. Staying on the look out and continuing to learn, what more could be asked? Other of course than treating with something that works when you do find something.

 

[Losthorizons]

Today I noticed one of my hens, her head is sort of drooping down like she doesn't want to hold it up, does it have anything to do with the mites or lice ? Is it another problem ?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sounds like it could be another problem... unless your issue was really really bad, then maybe.

You say lots of rain this summer... could lead to coccidiosis. Also DE specifically is ineffective once it gets wet, so won't work after rain or even morning dew. It has to stay dry to work like it's supposed to.

A fecal float at the vet is about $15. And it can check your cocci/worm species load to make sure if you need to treat, that you treat for the right thing. Might be worth it since you have some concern. Only 1 out of the 9 strains of cocci shows as blood in the poo. And not all worm are visible to the naked eye either. Though cocci is most common in chicks and brooders it can happen to adults especially with added weather conditions.

Not saying that's it.. just floating ideas.