Poultry lice Identified! What are my best options to get rid of them?

[LeiaLayers5]

I recently made the icky realization that our older 3 GCs have poultry lice. Luckily, we had not introduced the new EEs to them yet due to size difference and so we have taken preventative measures so they will not get them as well. So far we are cleaning their coop weekly and using poultry protector spray and DE on their coop and refilling their dust bath with DE regularly as well as spraying them every so often. Does anyone have any good suggestions that really work that could help us eliminate those nasty buggers sooner? It seems to be helping but not to our satisfaction. I want to interact with them still but the thought of them covered in bugs make me want to keep my distance until they are clean of them. Please help! I feel so bad for the girls and we are working on building them an awesome new big coop and run to share with the EEs and I want them all straight before we finish it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

5% Sevin dust and frontline spray.

I'd stay away from the DE for the dust bath since working with it one should wear a respirator so a dust bath wouldn't be a good place for it.
I use wood ash and ag lime in mine.

 

[SilkieNation]

You can make a little pouch from the end of a stocking, tie it, poof/rub them with it.

 

[LeiaLayers5]

You can make a little pouch from the end of a stocking, tie it, poof/rub them with it.

Can you elaborate what you mean by this? A stocking with the 5% sevin dust or? Just to be sure....

 

[chickengeorgeto]

The word "stocking" is so 20th Century. Who wears "stockings" anymore? Just cut a leg off an old pair of panty hose and dump a fair gob of Sevin dust in the toe portion, tie a knot above the Sevin dust and votary, you have made a Sevin powder puff. After use store in a dry location.

 

[LeiaLayers5]

The word "stocking" is so 20th Century. Who wears "stockings" anymore? Just cut a leg off an old pair of panty hose and dump a fair gob of Sevin dust in the toe portion, tie a knot above the Sevin dust and votary, you have made a Sevin powder puff. After use store in a dry location.

Sorry guys I am very new to all this and you rub that on them? I know it seems very idiotic but I really know nothing about this and can use laymans terms and detailed information to put it mildly. I do not want to mess up and hurt our girls somehow.....

 

[Folly's place]

Wear at least a N95 grade dust mask when using any dusting product! Permethrin dust is sold as 'Poultry Dust' and is approved for use in chickens.. It works great, on the birds and in the litter. DE is not going to solve the infestation, as you have seen, and it's bad to breath. Carbaryl also works well (Sevin) although it's not approved for use. Frontline isn't approved for ANY food species, only dogs and cats. Don't use it for that reason. Ivermectin applied to each bird, with permethrin dust in the coop, is what I do most often. It's easy to apply to each bird, and although not approved for birds here, is safe and used in humans and many other animals. Mary

 

[LeiaLayers5]

Wear at least a N95 grade dust mask when using any dusting product! Permethrin dust is sold as 'Poultry Dust' and is approved for use in chickens.. It works great, on the birds and in the litter. DE is not going to solve the infestation, as you have seen, and it's bad to breath. Carbaryl also works well (Sevin) although it's not approved for use. Frontline isn't approved for ANY food species, only dogs and cats. Don't use it for that reason. Ivermectin applied to each bird, with permethrin dust in the coop, is what I do most often. It's easy to apply to each bird, and although not approved for birds here, is safe and used in humans and many other animals. Mary

Thank you so much. I am afraid I needed it laid out like you just did to know what I am doing. I have read a few things and I worry about anything that could affect their eggs and my girls. I, as I am sure most could relate, am very attached to them even on their more in the way days and want our girls happy and healthy. I appreciate this information and shall try it. Thanks again!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Make sure you get the dust around the vent and under the wings down to skin level.

 

[SilkieNation]

The word "stocking" is so 20th Century. Who wears "stockings" anymore? Just cut a leg off an old pair of panty hose and dump a fair gob of Sevin dust in the toe portion, tie a knot above the Sevin dust and votary, you have made a Sevin powder puff. After use store in a dry location.

Exactly, except I still use the word "stocking"!