Sick hen

[Kristylo14]

So we got this hen in mid summer and we are new to chickens so we didn't notice the lice infestation immediately. We have less area for chickens to have a dust bath here than their previous space and then through time we were made aware of the lice. We recently treated this hen (and her sister who seems completely healthy and came to us at the same time) and our chicks about 16 weeks of age with permethrin. They are due for their 2nd dose now but I'm worried about this hen and possible frostbite due to feather loss. Not sure what to do here.

 

[Tookie]

How is she acting?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So we got this hen in mid summer and we are new to chickens so we didn't notice the lice infestation immediately. We have less area for chickens to have a dust bath here than their previous space and then through time we were made aware of the lice. We recently treated this hen (and her sister who seems completely healthy and came to us at the same time) and our chicks about 16 weeks of age with permethrin. They are due for their 2nd dose now but I'm worried about this hen and possible frostbite due to feather loss. Not sure what to do here.

Please post photos of your hen and the space you have for housing now.

Where are you located in the world?

 

[Kristylo14]

How is she acting?

She is eating well and drinking well and still bossing around the younger girls. Less feather plucking now after the treatment.

 

[Kristylo14]

So we got this hen in mid summer and we are new to chickens so we didn't notice the lice infestation immediately. We have less area for chickens to have a dust bath here than their previous space and then through time we were made aware of the lice. We recently treated this hen (and her sister who seems completely healthy and came to us at the same time) and our chicks about 16 weeks of age with permethrin. They are due for their 2nd dose now but I'm worried about this hen and possible frostbite due to feather loss. Not sure what to do here.

Please post photos of your hen and the space you have for housing now.

Where are you located in the world?

We are in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan. It snowed Friday for the first time of the year. Its been about 33⁰ at night now. This is the coop we have currently but we know it's not adequate. We are in the process of moving to a new house where we have a coop set up that has much better ventilation.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She's molting, so will be getting new feathers in soon. You may see her lose even more feathers along her back, wings, tail, etc. before it's over. This is a normal process, so she should be fine as long as she has shelter to get out of the wind and elements.


Ventilation is often key in helping to prevent frostbite. Sounds like you are on top of that.

 

[Kristylo14]

She's molting, so will be getting new feathers in soon. You may see her lose even more feathers along her back, wings, tail, etc. before it's over. This is a normal process, so she should be fine as long as she has shelter to get out of the wind and elements.


Ventilation is often key in helping to prevent frostbite. Sounds like you are on top of that.

Thank you! I guess I was just totally thrown off because of the timing and I knew she was potentially getting anemic from the lice. Her feathers are also looking all dirty and black/gray at the base around her vent area.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Was it lice or mites?

They are gone now right?

If you fear she was getting anemic, give her some Poultry Cell (1cc per 3pounds of weight) a couple of times a week. A little beef liver or egg a few times a week will help build her up too.

 

[Kristylo14]

Was it lice or mites?

They are gone now right?

If you fear she was getting anemic, give her some Poultry Cell (1cc per 3pounds of weight) a couple of times a week. A little beef liver or egg a few times a week will help build her up too.

Yes lice. I got a good look at the buggers a couple of times. They are gone but we need to do the second treatment and our chickens are soooo friendly but a beast to catch. So we are trying to do the treatment at night when they are in the coop but now that it's getting cold I don't want to do the spray and the dust feels like it'll be so messy and hard.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I prefer to spray housing and dust birds.

Put the dust in a sock, then use the sock like a powder puff to dust them. Tap it onto the feathers around the vent, then work the dust through the feathers to the skin, working your way up the tail, back, wings, etc. I do this by myself holding the bird in one arm and dust with the other. If you have help, this will work well. Getting them off the roost at night or early morning is always the best time to catch and treat birds.
Wear a mask and gloves.