Treating lice with epsom salts?

[richardeblack]

Hello All,
One of my hens was under the weather this morning so I fought through my biosecurity system (I live in Lincolnshire so am subject to 'flockdown') to get her out to check her.
I decided to give her a bath in epsom salts As I thought there were early signs of gleet and I wanted to check for her being eggbound (unlikely as she hasn't laid for some time). I gave her a good soak in epsom salts for about 20 minutes and took her out to dry her. Whilst looking at her vent (and checking for eggbound and administering canestan for the possible gleet) I noticed some lice moving round very quickly. I also saw what I now know as egg sacks round the base of her feathers round her vent. I have cut off the feathers with the egg sacks as I couldn't get them off and dried her before putting her out in the run again. As I was drying her I realised that there were loads of dead lice on the worktop. Every time she moved, more fell out. Can I assume that this is an effective treatment for lice or should I still get some louse spray or powder?
I did notice that she seems to have water belly which I will check out and try to drain in a couple of days.
Basically, should I get some spray or powder for the lice or carry on with epsom salt baths?
Many thanks for any suggestions.
Richard.

 

[Eggcessive]

The Epsom salts water probably did kill or stun the live ones, but warm soapy water may have done the same. It is not very good to bathe chickens in cool weather. I would try to get a good lice treatment dust or spray. Permethrin dust applied with a sock is a good one if available in your country. It also comes in an permethrin 10 concentrate, when mixed with water 1 tsp per quart/liter can be used on chickens or on the coop surfaces. Elector PSP with spinosad is a more expensive one if that doesn’t work. You must kill the live lice when they hatch, since most treatments do not kill the eggs. Lice hatch every 10 days, so treat at least 2-3 times at 10 day intervals.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a good source for the liquid concentrate to be mixed with water:
https://www.chewy.com/martins-perme...MIhPW2yfeGiwMVy0H_AR3_oQnSEAQYBSABEgILrPD_BwE

 

[richardeblack]

Thank you both very much for your help.
Yes, I don't like bathing my chickens in cold weather but I did dry her with a hair dryer before putting her back out. I will try to get some louse treatment from my local farm supply shop today and get some online if they don't have any.
I will look for permethrin spray but I have another issue with this hen. She seems to have waterbelly so will need to drain her. Will it be best to spray her after the injection point has healed (a day or so) or do you think it would be ok to spray her at the same time and save her the stress of being caught twice?
It does look like some things are not allowed in the UK but I think permethrin is.
Thanks again.

 

[LaFleche]

Thank you both very much for your help.
Yes, I don't like bathing my chickens in cold weather but I did dry her with a hair dryer before putting her back out. I will try to get some louse treatment from my local farm supply shop today and get some online if they don't have any.
I will look for permethrin spray but I have another issue with this hen. She seems to have waterbelly so will need to drain her. Will it be best to spray her after the injection point has healed (a day or so) or do you think it would be ok to spray her at the same time and save her the stress of being caught twice?
It does look like some things are not allowed in the UK but I think permethrin is.
Thanks again.

Please, do not use any liquid in winter as it can lead to necrotic patches of skin.
There are several powdery options to use safely on your hen that will kill lice.

 

[Eggcessive]

I don’t drain hens with ascites/water belly. It is caused by liver disease resulting from reproductive disorders, fatty liver disease, or heart failure. It may temporarily relieve labored breathing, but the condition is eventually fatal. I don’t think that permethrin is available in the UK. Many countries have banned it.

 

[richardeblack]

Thank you again Eggsessive.
I have drained them in the past and it gives them a few weeks of relief which, while they are perky and eating, is worth it I think. The main problem is that she is struggling to walk comfortably. No issues with breathing that I can see.
I do understand it is a temporary solution and the the underlying problem is terminal.
Thank you also LaFleche. I looked at power options (which are available from my local farm supplies shop) so will get some of that. I would have preferred a spray as it is easier to administer but will get some powder instead.
Thank you both.
Richard.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

INstead of chasing and trying to catch her during the day, you might consider taking her off the roost at night and putting her in a crate. Then you can treat her as needed in the morning and then release her. Much easier on both of you.

 

[richardeblack]

Thank you BigBlueHen.
she won't take much catching actually. She can only waddle along at the moment. Just a bit of a nuisance getting into the run as we are under avian flu restrictions so I have change my shoes as I go into the run, at the same time as trying to stop the others making a bid for freedom. All a bit of a nuisance but must be done.
I think I'll get a crate as that would be easier.

On the subject of draining her, I just went out and got her and had my wife holding her and found what seemed like a good spot. I went to put the needle in and whilst trying to insert the needle, blood started dripping out. I panicked a bit and stopped and cleaned her and returned her to the run.
I am wondering now if I just didn't get the needle in far enough and the blood was effectively just a skin scratch. I am nervous to try again and certainly won't today as she is happily eating in the run.
do you think the blood was just because I wasn't bold enough to get the needle in promptly enough. I think my wife was squeezing her quite tight as well.
I will get a new needle today as the old one has been used a few times and might be a bit blunt.
Thank you all

 

[Eggcessive]

Hard to know what happened with the needle and the blood, but they should not be reused. Let us know if you try again and get fluid or blood. One cause of water belly is fatty liver disease which can cause bleeding and hemorrhage inside the abdomen.