Questions about possible lice treatment.

[C0987]

Hello everyone, I believe my birds may have lice. At first I thought maybe they were just picking on each other since some were missing feathers. Now the chickens are missing more feathers on their back towards the tail and under their vents. It seems like they are picking at each other under the vents as one was bleeding. I can't seem to find any eggs or bugs though. I've also noticed my turkeys are now missing feathers on their bellies. Again, not sure if it is lice or not.

Some more information:
Everyone is housed together: chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks.
I am using straw in their coop/run and with it still being super wet I haven't been able to spring clean yet. I did deep litter through the winter and it is quite deep at this point. I had planned on bringing in equipment to move it all once it dried up but that won't be possible for a few weeks.

My questions:
I've read threads about permethrin spray and this is the spray I found:



Is it okay to treat them even though I haven't actually found any bugs or eggs?

I was using some of the stop pick stuff to help keep them from hurting each other, is it okay to keep using that when needed if I use the spray? Is the ointment helping keep the bugs on them?

Do I use as is or do I have to dilute it?

Is it safe for use on all my birds?

What about birds that may have cuts/scratches is it safe to spray it on them?

My geese/ducks seem okay, no feathers missing do I still treat them?

I know I need to get the coop/run cleared out but in the mean time will it be helpful to treat them and spray the inside of the coop and the straw in the run?
Or is leaving the spray in the bedding for a while harmful?

After I remove the bedding can I still compost it or do I have to burn it?


I have a shed I am converting into a coop that is right next to their current one, it is being insulated and I know some birds have gotten in there when they escaped their run do I have to worry about lice being in there too? Can I spray that or am I just being paranoid about the bugs?

Is it better to continue to keep them contained as I treat them or is it okay to let them free range once it dries up some more?

Thank you for any answers/advice I really appreciate the help.

 

[The Dapper Duck]

Personally I wouldn't use the spray if I couldn't find lice/mites. And definitely not into the wounds. I prefer using DE powder directly under the wings, around the vent, and on the rump. The birds work it in themselves. It doesn't sound like mites though. More like picking. Are they too crowded? Not getting enough protein? I've had some ornery ducks that just liked to pick feathers for whatever reason. Also, the raw spots might be attracting other chickens to keep pecking and exacerbate the issue. Try putting some Blu-Kote (I like the paint-on type) on the raw spots and see if they don't start getting better. I've always composted my bedding even when I have mites and it should be ok just as long as the chickens aren't scratching around in there.

 

[aart]

I believe my birds may have lice. At first I thought maybe they were just picking on each other since some were missing feathers. Now the chickens are missing more feathers on their back towards the tail and under their vents. It seems like they are picking at each other under the vents as one was bleeding.

Feather loss is not necessarily because of bugs.

Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

 

[C0987]

Feather loss is not necessarily because of bugs.

Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

It's been a couple of weeks that I've been worried about lice but I still haven't seen any bugs or accumulation of eggs at the base of their feathers. Is it safe to assume they do not have any?
When I check them over it looks like they have flecks of dry skin kind of like dandruff on them but nothing has ever crawled that I've noticed .

 

[aart]

I still haven't seen any bugs or accumulation of eggs at the base of their feathers. Is it safe to assume they do not have any?

I would say so.