We believe our flock has poultry lice!

[LilithA]

So, we think most of our flock has poultry lice. There are little orange bugs on most of our chickens. Any ideas on if those are poultry lice or not? I can get some pictures if needed. It doesn’t seem to be too bad, but I’m hoping it doesn’t get worse. We’ve been trying to get them to dirt bathe with some diatomaceous earth. Is there any way we can convince them to dirt bathe? Also, are their any other inexpensive treatments that have worked for your birds? And is there a chance it could spread to our ducks?

 

[Eggcessive]

Lice can spread to all poultry and birds. There will be lice eggs, white to gray clumps, at the base of the feathers under the vent and elsewhere. DE will not treat an infestation, and it can harm the eyes and breathing. Permethrin 10 concentrate mixed with water in a spray bottle and available at TSC, is safe to use on chickens, and lice will need to be treated every 10 days until they are gone, to get the live ones, and the newly hatched eggs before they can reproduce. The coop, nest boxes, and roosts will also need to be treated after bedding is removed. https://media.tractorsupply.com/is/image/TractorSupplyCompany/2212611?$456$

 

[LilithA]

Lice can spread to all poultry and birds. There will be lice eggs, white to gray clumps, at the base of the feathers under the vent and elsewhere. DE will not treat an infestation, and it can harm the eyes and breathing. Permethrin is safe to use on chickens, and lice will need to be treated every 10 days until they are gone, to get the live ones, and the newly hatched eggs before they can reproduce. The coop, nest boxes, and roosts will also need to be treated after bedding is removed. https://media.tractorsupply.com/is/image/TractorSupplyCompany/2212611?$456$

Thank you! I will try that out!

 

[Eggcessive]

I forgot to include this article for pictures:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/