Silkies shaking heads??

[kbreak]

I have noticed my silkies shaking their heads alot and scratching. I tried to look at the skin. May see some dryness?? Could it be lice? Don't think it is mites. I cleaned the pen real good and put DE in there and in the bedding. What can I put on them? How do I put it on them? Thanks for any advice you can give me!!

 

[jamband]

Head shaking can be a sign of respiratory illness as well....are they coughing?

 

[kbreak]

Head shaking can be a sign of respiratory illness as well....are they coughing?

No there are no signs of respiratory. I am thinking it may be lice. What do you use? I cleaned everything out and used DE in bedding and coop floor. Thanks !!

 

[jamband]

you could sprinkle them too

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Yes I have seen head shaking every 5-15 seconds with mites. I couldn't find them on the chickens, but I found them on me!

So, here is information:

You can buy poultry dust at the feed store- prozap permethrin. Also liquid permethrin which after dilution is good for spraying the coop. You need to throw out all bedding at the retreatment in a few days also.

http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/pesticides.html



http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8162.pdf
notice this page is older and mentions carbaryl but the above link says it is restricted

If it is indeed a bug, after treatment the shaking should be G-O-N-E. The chemical kills the bugs instantly.