Two Lice Questions: Abrasions and Chicks

[maryn7]

Alright, so I figured out that one of my big girls was pulling feathers due to lice. I've picked up permethrin and will do the coop and them today. I'm sure they'll be thrilled.

My one girl has a couple small abrasions around her vent where I think she was pecking to try to remove the bugs. I cut out the egg sacs around there and put Neosporin on her the other day (I had to be out of town for two days right after I figured out the issue). The abrasions were very small, so I'm hoping they will have healed. Will the permethrin be safe to use if she has any lingering abrasions?

My other problem is I've got four 2-week old chicks I'd planned to move to the coop this weekend, but obviously do not want them to immediately get lice.

How low should I wait to move them out? Or, rather, how will I be sure my treatment is successful?

Thanks for the help. This is gross!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would go ahead and treat her to get rid of the lice. Be sure to treat housing and the other chickens too. Repeat in 7 day intervals.

I agree, I would not want chicks that young to get lice, that would be very hard on them.

Knowing your treatment is successful, now that's a good question! Likely after 2 rounds of treatment (7 days apart), you will have at least gotten the bugs under control. There's no guarantee they will all be gone, so you will need to be vigilant.

 

[maryn7]

I did treat her (and her flockmate) that day and they both seem to be doing well. (I've given them both a few days to reclaim their dignity - no one appreciated being soaked down, including me). They'll be getting a second treatment, regardless.

Cleaned the coop from top to bottom and sprayed a whole gallon of permethrin dilute into every corner. I'm going to do the same again this Friday (day 7). And I got powder, too, for butts and egg boxes and around where the chicks will be sectioned off in the coop.

I'll hold the chicks until next week in the brooder. They've got enough space, but they're rowdy. Weather is changing for the better this week, so I'll be able to run a day camp until they can get outside full-time.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I did treat her (and her flockmate) that day and they both seem to be doing well. (I've given them both a few days to reclaim their dignity - no one appreciated being soaked down, including me). They'll be getting a second treatment, regardless.

Cleaned the coop from top to bottom and sprayed a whole gallon of permethrin dilute into every corner. I'm going to do the same again this Friday (day 7). And I got powder, too, for butts and egg boxes and around where the chicks will be sectioned off in the coop.

I'll hold the chicks until next week in the brooder. They've got enough space, but they're rowdy. Weather is changing for the better this week, so I'll be able to run a day camp until they can get outside full-time.

Thanks for the advice!

Sounds like a good plan to me.