What are these & how do I get rid of them?

[lovemyroos]

So one of my silkies has been broody for a few weeks now and I’ve been keeping an eye on her (she does not get to hatch any babies this time, unfortunately). Today she got off her nest voluntarily for the first time in weeks—I picked her up and realized—HUGE parasite infestation.

I haven’t done a thorough check on her in probably a month but I have never seen a single louse or mite on her and now she’s covered in them?! Poor thing is so itchy!

Haven’t checked the rest of the flock yet but if one’s got em, then...

It’s been a long time since I’ve dealt with parasites. These look like lice to me, but I’m not sure. They’re biggish with light and dark bands down their bodies (see pics).

My questions are:
1) What are these?
2) What sprays/powders can I use to get rid of them? (Both on the chickens themselves and in nest boxes)
3) Are there any ways I can rid of them that are safe for chicks (several weeks old)?

#3 is because there is a feral hen with 2 chicks nesting in our yard. I’m willing to bet that’s where the bugs came from. I can most likely catch them in their nest at night, but I want to make sure whatever I use is safe for babies.

 

[Mvan42]

Possibly lice.. I am not sure I am going by other pics I have seen on here. I read somewhere on here that there is a powder you can put on the chickens for them and you have to clean the coop out real good. (I think) I know someone else will know more. I personally haven’t had or seen anything like that but would like to know just Incase I n Ed to know.

 

[Eggcessive]

Those look like body lice. I would get a permethrin dust or spray to use every 7-10 days until both the lice eggs and lice are gone. The coop bedding will need to be removed, and clean bedding added after spraying the coop, nests, and roosts.

Chicken body louse

 

[MomJones]

So one of my silkies has been broody for a few weeks now and I’ve been keeping an eye on her (she does not get to hatch any babies this time, unfortunately). Today she got off her nest voluntarily for the first time in weeks—I picked her up and realized—HUGE parasite infestation.

I haven’t done a thorough check on her in probably a month but I have never seen a single louse or mite on her and now she’s covered in them?! Poor thing is so itchy!

Haven’t checked the rest of the flock yet but if one’s got em, then...

It’s been a long time since I’ve dealt with parasites. These look like lice to me, but I’m not sure. They’re biggish with light and dark bands down their bodies (see pics).

My questions are:
1) What are these?
2) What sprays/powders can I use to get rid of them? (Both on the chickens themselves and in nest boxes)
3) Are there any ways I can rid of them that are safe for chicks (several weeks old)?

#3 is because there is a feral hen with 2 chicks nesting in our yard. I’m willing to bet that’s where the bugs came from. I can most likely catch them in their nest at night, but I want to make sure whatever I use is safe for babies.

 

[MomJones]

You have poultry lice. Get some Diatomaceous Earth (food grade) and sprinkle it liberally on your birds, on the floor of your coop as well as their nesting boxes and food areas. DE as it's referred to is safe because it's mechanism is purely mechanical: it's like ground up glass: it acts to slice up any and all exoskeleton type parasites (exo = outer).

My life message to the world is all about DE. I drink it, I use it on our 6 dogs plus our 26 chickens. I've been using it in our house as well as outside on organic plants for years. It's a fine powder and causes zero health problems while eradicating insects and parasites. Your baby should be just fine once you apply this stuff, I promise.

 

[Henriettamom919]

You have poultry lice. Get some Diatomaceous Earth (food grade) and sprinkle it liberally on your birds, on the floor of your coop as well as their nesting boxes and food areas. DE as it's referred to is safe because it's mechanism is purely mechanical: it's like ground up glass: it acts to slice up any and all exoskeleton type parasites (exo = outer).

My life message to the world is all about DE. I drink it, I use it on our 6 dogs plus our 26 chickens. I've been using it in our house as well as outside on organic plants for years. It's a fine powder and causes zero health problems while eradicating insects and parasites. Your baby should be just fine once you apply this stuff, I promise.

I've had similar, if not as long standing, success with DE. Given the extent of your infestation I'd use @Eggcessive suggestion and then follow up with DE as a preventative/deterrent.

I know there is some risk considered with the dust DE can produce but I have found applied properly, with good ventilation that it works great. Then again, all chemicals, natural or lab made have some risk.

I'm so sorry for your itchy girl!