So sick and tired of this!!!

[technodoll]

Sorry, I just have to rant...

Just found out my flock of 22 birds has another lice infestation!!

I have been checking random birds about 3 times a week and hadn't seen anything (I had to delouse them in October and all had been clear since then...), how can they be infested again when there is a ton of snow outside and they don't free-range?

And yes, I change the bedding about once a month (also dusted the nesting boxes).

And no, the lice did not hitch a ride onto new birds as they came from a sterile environment, were checked before entering the flock AND treated anyways as a precaution.

I give up, I really do...

*coughs up toxic dust from the delousing powder*

*cries*

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

I've read that Frontline spray is ok to use on them and will kill the lice and help prevent it's return. I would do it during the day and NOT put it under their wings because they tuck their heads under their wings to sleep at night and might breathe it in.

 

[Dar]

can you give them a place to dust bathe where it has the delousing powder in it?

 

[Terri O]

Any chance that you have wild birds coming into your chicken house? I think that is where my chickens got them. I give mine a wooden box with wood ash, DE and carbaryl mixed together inside. They bathe in it frequently and the lice seem to be at bay....

Terri O in WI

 

[technodoll]

I let the flock dust bathe in the 2nd attached chicken coop every day that it's warm enough (it's not insulated and has a dusty, dry dirt floor, they go crazy for the dust baths), maybe it's helped slow down the re-infestation but it definitely didn't stop it...

I have never seen other birds get in the coop BUT mice get in there every day, I have NO WAY of stopping this.

Could the mice be carrying the lice??

Besides dusting the whole flock every few weeks, what can I do to keep everyone clean? Would such frequent treatments be toxic to them since they breathe it in during the process and of course the dust stays on their body for a while?

Since I collect and sell the eggs daily, I can't use any chemicals that would be absorbed by the bloodstream and affect the eggs...

I have a bucket of ashes, should I spread that in the coop where they dust bathe?

Any suggestions of a product I could safely use, anything?

The dusting powder is making ME ill

Please help!!

THANK YOU!!

 

[La Mike]

Technodoll i think there is something called food grade DE that helps keep mites from living in your roost
I have never bought it but i have seen a thread stating that
Maybe you could research that one to solve the problem.

 

[technodoll]

I ordered food grade DE and sprinkle it in there morning breakfast (warm oatmeal) every day to help prevent internal parasites, but at $30 for 2 lbs it's not something I can liberally sprinkle around bedding that has to be changed every week...

And I have heard it won't kill an active infestation

OK about frontline, what is the safe dose for chickens?

I have large fowl adults, adolescent bantams and babies of both sizes... and two turkeys.

How do I apply?

Would it affect the eggs, and if so for how long?

Any information would be awesome, thank you!

 

[Imp]

I don't think chicken lice will live on mice, maybe hop a ride, but not live.

What is the ingredients in the delousing powder you are using?

Imp

 

[technodoll]

Quote:
I am using Dri-Kill... The active ingredient is Rotenone.

Worked really well the past few times I have had to use it, only the lice keep coming back

 

[Imp]

OK I may be way off base here, but a quick google of Rotonone says it's a natural type pesticide. It's also linked to Parkinsons disease. So use with care. Although I suppose any chemical can be dangerous.

There is some difference of opinion about the effectiveness of DE, woodash etc.

You may want to consider better living through chemistry.

There have been many posts about using Sevin or poultry dust with permethrin, then following up with the DE etc as more of a preventative. Also I've read that wooden parts of the coop can be painted with kerosene, as the bugs can live in the cracks in the wood.

I know sounds kinda ugh!

I wish I had firsthand experience. You can search for the original threads if you need details.

wish I was more help. Good luck

Imp