Question about lice

[urbanchickees]

I am new to having chickens and have been reading a lot. I bought a great book and I am so glad I came across this website. I have a question regarding lice. Is the dust bath enough to keep it at bay or should I be putting something else on them or in their pen/run? Is this the lice that humans get in their hair and if so is it easily transferred? These might sound silly but I really am not sure. ANY advice would be great!!!

 

[morelcabin]

A simple shower will take them off humans...they seem to love me...I always know when my birds have them because I come out of that henhouse itching like crazy. I use Borax in the pens to keep them at bay but if they do get them anyway then you have to use a tick dust on them that you buy at the feed store

 

[fosterchick]

I use Seven Dust. I buy at the local hardware store. I put it in the spots that they use to sunbath in or where they roll in dirt. I do this 3 times a year and never had any lice problems. I have also been told by my father and his father the chicken lice is different the human lice.

 

[urbanchickees]

Thanks so much will have to look for the dust. I was hoping it was different than human lice cause I have 3 small children and the dread of thinking I might have to deal with that was terrible. We so love watching our girls and enjoy feeding them up close. I didn't want to have to tell the kids to stay back. My littlest is 1.5 yo and every morning he is out looking through the window of the coop to see what they are doing, it is too sweet.

 

[morelcabin]

When my kids were little they used to love going to the henhouse and getting eggs! I really miss those days, now they are older and think I'm crazy cause I keep chickens...Ahhh such is life!

 

[warren]

I discovered lice on my hens a few months ago. I dusted them with a permethrin based insecticide which got rid of the problem. It is a mild insecticide which can be used on cats and dogs.
Other people advise bathing your chickens if you live somewhere warm. This will get rid of them very effectively without the need for insecticide.
They do not live on people, so no need to worry about that.