Mites or lice?

[ozzy chooks]

One of my pullets was acting very strangely today: fast pacing at the edges of their free range area being quite vocal and restless. She is normally super skittish so my plan was to check her tonight. At some point I noticed she went inside the coop so I managed to catch her.
Upon close inspection she had yellowish brown crawling creatures below the vent.
So I went to buy a product (pestene here in Australia: Sulfur 50 g/kg, rotenone 10 g/kg) to treat her, the coop, the nesting boxes (poor her I found her she laid her second egg today and the first one in the nest box when I came back from the shop).
Then I examined the other 2 pullets and they had some (very minor). The other 3 hen had nothing.

This is my first time so I have no idea if the creatures are mites or lice. How can I tell?
And if they are lice how did they get them?
When should I treat the pullet again?

Can the fact that it rained in the last couole of days have had an impact? The ground is wet so they could not dust bathe.

Thank you!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

Treat all your birds, not just the ones you see them on or they may become targets.

Retreat according to package directions... in order to prevent any resistance. My favorite product is permethrin based spray (often sold in the equine section)... much easier to use effectively than powder. Not sure if it's available in your location though.

Lice are the worst during the rainy season. Sometimes an elevated dirt bath under cover like a kiddie pool or a large tire can help.

If they are poultry lice (species specific and not the same as human), they come in on wild birds and rats or other such carriers that visit your yard/location.

Also... never chase a chicken again... just wait until they go to roost and keep it dim while you use a flashlight to treat stuff or inspect.

Your chooks new behavior is very likely because she is coming into lay and not relevant to the parasites. But great job looking out!

 

[ozzy chooks]

Thanks for the link!

I didn't have to chase the skittish pullet coz once in the coop it's easy to get them
Otherwise at least 2 ppl are needed to chase that one!!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

A small hand held magnifying glass is handy for idenifying the pest that you find hiding on your birds. Lice are insects and like all insects lice have 6 legs. Mites are members of the spider family and as such have 8 legs.

 

[ozzy chooks]

I had an other inspection today and no more crawling yeah. But I noticed scabs and what looks like lice eggs.

So I'll keep treating the flock. The product does not have any instructions about treating a second time. I'll goigle more about the product and see how it goes.

Thanks

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Thanks for the link!

I didn't have to chase the skittish pullet coz once in the coop it's easy to get them
Otherwise at least 2 ppl are needed to chase that one!!

I must admit that I am a pollywog who has never crossed the Equator. But I still expect that chickens in the Southern Hemisphere go to roost when the Sun sets. Wait till the chickens go to roost and it becomes child's play to catch your hens without breaking eggs inside of their bodies or stressing your hens into non-productive behavior. You can always catch any TV Soap Opera you miss when the reruns start.

Chasing your hens around the coop or run is also a great way to turn your rooster or roosters into determined man fighters.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I had an other inspection.... But I noticed scabs and what looks like lice eggs....

I highly expect that the Politically Correct Industrial Complex were you live has prevailed on the powers that be to outlaw Permethrin. Liquid Permethrin (if it is for sale where you are) is absolutely the best lice and mite treatment going. It is also the safest, most flexible, as well as the easiest to use.

 

[Folly's place]

Make sure that you are using a product that's labeled as approved for laying hens where you live! Rotenone is off the list here; we have permethrin, which works fine.
Treat everyone at night, as mentioned above, and treat the coop too. Most products do best with a second treatment in two weeks or so; it depends on what you have.
Mary

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Make sure that you are using a product that's labeled as approved for laying hens where you live! Rotenone is off the list here; we have permethrin, which works fine.
Treat everyone at night, as mentioned above, and treat the coop too. Most products do best with a second treatment in two weeks or so; it depends on what you have.
Mary

Both Rotenone and Permethrin have serious effects on aquatic organisms. Both Rotenone and Permethrin started out as Organic products. Why is one product now vilified and baned while the other product is approved for use to kill flies in milking parlors, food preparation areas, and to kill ticks, fleas, and mites on the skin of your pets as well as on the skin of newborn infants, cows, chickens, swine, and horses?