Treating poultry lice naturally

[ZJchicks]

I have recently discovered some lice on part of my flock (yesterday). I have reasareched and read many threads on this forum and realize there is a lot of contradictory information around.

I am asking for people to share their experience dealing with poultry lice without resorting to chemicals. Weeding through the info is very difficult especially with all the extra commentary thrown into threads.

With that in mind, if you disagree with my hope to rid the hens of the pest in a natural manner, please keep you opinion to yourself. This thread is not for arguing or pointing fingers. I see the many options available to me beyond the natural remedies and choose to attempt different methods at this time.

I have a mixed flock aging from 10 weeks to 3ish years with one bantam rooster. 3 guinea hens roost with some of the hens as well. Speaking of the guineas will I need to treat them as well (I would imagine so).

I read someone mentioning using spinosad? If you read this I would like to hear your results. I find it difficult to imagine treating chickens with it since they will preen and it would likely destroy beneficial organisms in their crop or elsewhere? I am just speaking from complete basic knowledge of how the product Works when using on crops to kill insects.

Thanks to all who share their experiences.

 

[duckets]

Hi ZJchicks,

I just posted this product to another member a short while ago, Diatomaceous Earth, very safe and inexpensive, (approx 12.00) It is also safe to use around your home, and on yourself if necessary, try not to breath large concentrated amounts because it is a respiratory irritant;

 

[ZJchicks]

Hi ZJchicks, I just posted this product to another member a short while ago, Diatomaceous Earth, very safe and inexpensive, (approx 12.00) It is also safe to use around your home, and on yourself if necessary, try not to breath large concentrated amounts because it is a respiratory irritant;

Have you treated your flock that has obvious lice with this? I find mixed reviews on the effectiveness of DE. I am skeptical but would love to hear from people who have used it to TREAT their flock. Prevention is great and obviously I need to ramp that up but anyone use it to eradicate the pest?

 

[junebuggena]

It will help to deter and prevent, but does not treat an active infestation. For a severe lice/mite infestation you will need some sort of chemical, either natural based or synthetic. Pyrethrum works great and is naturally derived from chrysanthemums. It's a neurotoxin to insects, but pretty harmless to vertebrates.

 

[Teila]

Howdy ZJchicks

Wood ash from a wood burning fireplace is reported to kill lice and mites.

Neem Oil can also be sprayed on the walls, floor and roost of the coop. I believe it does not actually kill the lice and mites but interrupts their breeding cycle.

 

[duckets]

It will help to deter and prevent, but does not treat an active infestation. For a severe lice/mite infestation you will need some sort of chemical, either natural based or synthetic. Pyrethrum works great and is naturally derived from chrysanthemums. It's a neurotoxin to insects, but pretty harmless to vertebrates.

Hi junebuggena, ZJchicks and Teila,

The DE truly only works well as a deterrent, but it can be used generously and without limitation. However to rid an infestation pyrethrum/pyrethrin and neem oil is a very safe alternative, along with the wood ash mentioned by Teila. Most of these products can be purchased at your feed and seed vendor or TSC, and here is an Amazon link;

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_8qlp7b88js_b

And here is a Walmart link for the neem oil;

http://www.walmart.com/tp/neem-oil

 

[ZJchicks]

 Hi junebuggena, ZJchicks and Teila,

The DE truly only works well as a deterrent, but it can be used generously and without limitation. However to rid an infestation pyrethrum/pyrethrin and neem oil is a very safe alternative, along with the wood ash mentioned by Teila. Most of these products can be purchased at your feed and seed vendor or TSC, and here is an Amazon link;

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=poultry+powder&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=62250056724&hvpos=1s1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5763322942080438166&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_8qlp7b88js_b  

And here is a Walmart link for the neem oil; 

http://www.walmart.com/tp/neem-oil

Thank you for attempting to help...however, I do believe Permethrin (which is The active ingredient in the Garden & Poultry dust) is a. Chemically derived insecticide. Pyrethrin, on the other hand is the organic compound derived from chrysanthemums. So, we are talking about a chemical again which is what I'm trying to avoid. Also it says it is very toxic to cats, of which I have one who does walk around the chicken yard. Not going to risk that. I love that cat a lot.

Wood ash...can you buy this anywhere?
Does anyone know of a product with"pyrethrin" as the active ingredient. I know it comes in spray form but that is going to work.

 

[junebuggena]

Pyrethrin is the synthetic, lab created version of Pyrethrum. They are chemically identical. Pyrethrum is naturally derived. It's toxic to invertebrates, but fairly harmless to vertebrates. Both are commonly used to treat cats for fleas.

 

[ZJchicks]

Would ash from our fire pit work? We have burned paper in there and leaves as well...

 

[ZJchicks]

Pyrethrin is the synthetic, lab created version of Pyrethrum. They are chemically identical. Pyrethrum is naturally derived. It's toxic to invertebrates, but fairly harmless to vertebrates. Both are commonly used to treat cats for fleas.

This is to what I'm referring that states the toxicity in fish and cats (from Wikipedia)
Permethrin is a common synthetic chemical, widely used as an insecticide, acaricide, and insect repellent. It belongs to the family of synthetic chemicals called pyrethroids and functions as a neurotoxin, affecting neuron membranes by prolonging sodium channel activation. It is not known to rapidly harm most mammals or birds, but is dangerously toxic to fish and to cats: in cats it may induce hyperexcitability, tremors, seizures, and even death.[1] In general, it has a low mammalian toxicity and is poorly absorbed by skin.[2]