Why do I keep getting poultry lice?!?

[AmeraucanaHank]

The wild birds are bringing them every year. Ash isn't going to do the trick.

Options are pretty much find a way to completely exclude the wild birds or, my go-to (I am having this problem as well) is liberal use of Poultry Dust (permethrin). I use it in the bedding, the nests, and everywhere they like to dust bathe. Also on the birds themselves. I would probably dust their butts weekly if I couldn't keep the wild birds out.

Ok, If I just made sure the coop was wild bird free than would that be ok? Because they have a big fenced in area to free-range in and I would hate to close that of!

 

[Folly's place]

Wild songbirds bring the lice and mites to your birds, either outside, or if those wrens or sparrows get into your coop. This year, having our flock locked inside, has meant no mites, the only positive as far as I'm concerned.
Lice are easier to eliminate, as they can't live off the birds very long. Permethrin spray or dust works well, weekly for maybe three treatments. Then check your birds weekly, or so, because reinfestations do occur!
Mary

 

[Mosey2003]

Ok, If I just made sure the coop was wild bird free than would that be ok? Because they have a big fenced in area to free-range in and I would hate to close that of!

No. If birds are on ground they are, they can get the bugs.

 

[aart]

I already have the powder that kills the lice but, how do I keep them from getting it?!?

What powder, and how, have you used in the past?

They need to have permethrin, either spray or powder, put on their skin under feathers around vent, neck, belly and under wings.
treatment should be repeated every 5-7 days for 3 rounds.

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

What powder, and how, have you used in the past?

They need to have permethrin, either spray or powder, put on their skin under feathers around vent, neck, belly and under wings.
treatment should be repeated every 5-7 days for 3 rounds.

I have permethrin powder, last year I only had to dose the once!

 

[Isadora]

I have permethrin powder, last year I only had to dose the once!

You only dosed one time last year?
If you actually have lice on your birds, you're going to have lice eggs which hatch every 5-7 days. You have to treat at least three times, once per week,, to break the cycle completely to kill the lice once eggs hatch.

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

You only dosed one time last year?
If you actually have lice on your birds, you're going to have lice eggs which hatch every 5-7 days. You have to treat at least three times, once per week,, to break the cycle completely to kill the lice once eggs hatch.

I know that's what I thought too but I kept checking and there was nothing on them no eggs, nothing after the first dose, the only reason I can think of for doing one dose is I caught them when they just got it.

 

[Isadora]

I know that's what I thought too but I kept checking and there was nothing on them no eggs, nothing after the first dose, the only reason I can think of for doing one dose is I caught them when they just got it.

Huh. That's interesting. I would have continued with the dosing anyway. My birds had lice a few months ago and I didn't see any after the first treatment but obviously eggs were going to hatch after that so I made sure to continue. You have my sympathy. They are really not fun to deal with.

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

Huh. That's interesting. I would have continued with the dosing anyway. My birds had lice a few months ago and I didn't see any after the first treatment but obviously eggs were going to hatch after that so I made sure to continue. You have my sympathy. They are really not fun to deal with.

I know! I hate doing it with the powder because it seems so bad for your health if you breath it in. So I'm thinking about using a liquid this time.

 

[Isadora]

I know! I hate doing it with the powder because it seems so bad for your health if you breath it in. So I'm thinking about using a liquid this time.

I bought the liquid. It was extremely effective. Really the only thing I had to be careful of was the weather was still not warm all the time then so had to do it on a day where the chickens weren't going to get chilled.