preventitve messures for mites/lice

[Maverick Farms]

Is it advised to use or is there a preventitive that I should be using? None of my chickens have issues but I am so new at this and just want to make sure I am doing what I should be doing. Thanks!

 

[Wynette]

You'll get a different opinion, likely, from everyone on this. It's a great question, and it's fantastic to know what your options are and then do what works for you & your flock.

If you check your birds often - and closely - and never see mites/lice/fleas, there's no reason to treat for them. However, if you want to be sure they never get them (and everyone - I don't care who you are - will have parasites at some point), there are many things you can do. Some folks use food grade DE (diometaceous earth - probably misspelling it!) which is a preventative, but not a treatment for them. You can dust them with it, and dust the nest boxes and coop, as well. Some folks prefer not to use anything until/unless there is a problem with parasites. In this case, DE will not work - again, it's a preventative, not a treatment. Then, others treat for parasites every 2-3 months. I personally land somewhere in the middle. I treat every 6 months, and I use Ivermectin Eprinex, which you use like Frontline for dogs - on the back of the base of the neck. I prefer this, as it treats both external (mites/fleas/lice) AND internal (worms) parasites. If you go this route, please be sure to get the EPRINEX formulation of Ivermectin. It's more expensive, but the dosage is very small (1cc for an average/small bird), and it will last...probably years.

There are other treatments, as well. Hopefully, more peeps will pop in & give their opinions!

 

[Maverick Farms]

Thank you for the reply and information!