What kind of treatment for lice/mites?

[tothemoon]

I have been trying to decide how to treat my bantam cochin for what I believe to be lice or mites. He is missing the feathers around his neck and although I saw no signs of an infestation when I checked him out, he does seem to be itching a lot. Ive read on here that some use a poultry dust, others use seven dust and something called Ivomec. What is the best treatment and if i choose to also use Ivomec, what is the dosage because I only see it for livestock such as cows and goats. Please give me your opinions of what to use and thanks for any advice.

 

[PunkinPeep]

I would just use the poultry dust and possibly put new bedding, including d.e. in the coop. I would personally not dose ivomec unless i suspected worms - or wanted to prevent for worms.

 

[kathyinmo]

maybe this thread will help you ...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2718760

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

ivermectin works great at killing lice & mites.

 

[tothemoon]

Do they make ivermectin for chickens, what is the dosage? Is it an oral solution? Also, can dogs get these lice or mites from chickens?

 

[Ms. Lewis Rich]

Frontline is the only thing I have ever had truly get rid of them for good.
Bantams 4 drops one behind neck ,drop under each wing and another drop by tail try to avoid oil gland and up that about 3 drops for standards.
Cant eat eggs dont know for how long but they will still hatch.

 

[tothemoon]

Ok, I went to the feed store looking for poultry dust and they gave me something with malathion in it. I dusted the chickens and coop with it tonight but it kind of worries me because I havent seen any mention of it on here. To top it off, I dont think they had an investation at all. The missing feathers (I learned this by watching the roosters after I let them out to free range while I dusted) were from this rooster picking a fight with the big rooster who apparently whipped his booty. Sunny is the one with the missing feathers and his hens just started laying about a week ago so I think he has gotten some sort of chip on his shoulder because of that. Before, I would let them all out together and they would go thier seperate ways and leave each other alone. So, I really believe the missing feathers were from fighting and not an infestation but I dusted anyway. Does anyone use the malathion?

 

[PunkinPeep]

I'm sorry. I should have said that the 'poultry dust' i used contains permethrin.

Many people use ivermectin 'pour-on' and swear by it.

I personally, used ivermectin paste, labeled for horses, and gave a tiny bit to each chicken orally.

I have no idea what malathion is. Is the packaging labeled for poultry? If it is, i wouldn't worry too much.

 

[tothemoon]

The lady at the feed store said it was also for poultry, that many people around here use it, so I guess it is ok. Thanks for all the help and info!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Malathion is safe to use as a premise spray around poultry--I've never heard of using it on the bird itself. If the product label says that it is safe to use on poultry, you should be in the clear. If it does not, then I would suggest not repeating that use.