Will washing/bathing my chickens monthly keep mites/lice away?

[ich-knut]

I have 3, 4 mo. old bantam hens and 3, 3 mo. old bantam hens that are more house pets than anything else. When I let them out in the yard and they have their fun with dirt, I wash them afterwards with baby shampoo. I blow dry them with a hair dryer as well. This can't hurt them right? Also, will washing them keep mites/lice away?

 

[texasbartrambaby]

I don't wash my babies, but I do treat them quarterly with ivomectrin drops on their backs. So far, no mites or lice and I've had them for a little over a year.

 

[henryetta]

so, what are these "ivomectrin drops " you speek of??

 

[al6517]

Washing them so often is actually hurting them as their skin and feathers will be losing the essential oils that keep them looking and feeling good. Once again they are Chickens and are really not suitable for lap animals indoors. just treat your yard and house for lice & mites and then you shouldn't have to bathe them at all ever.

AL

 

[texasbartrambaby]

Ivomec or ivermectrin - they have a small bottle of pour on cattle wormer? that you can get at your feed store. Its 5 drops between the shoulder blades for normal sized chickens. Do a search on here for it and you'll find lots of info for it. Many, many people use this to worm their chickens and prevent lice/mites. Mine free range and so I am sure that they've been exposed to wild birds, etc and so far no problems. I have fat, healthy shiny happy chickens!

 

[rufus]

Put the ashes from the wood stove or fire place out for them to dust bathe in. That keeps them pest free in a more natural way.

Rufus

 

[gritsar]

My chickens dust bathe daily. No mites. That's why they dustbathe, to rid themselves of any external pests.

 

[patandchickens]

Plus while a bath will make a *dent* in the numbers of mites or lice, it is not going to eliminate 'em if the chicken is infested.

A good dustbath, plus regular inspections and treatment as needed, is really your best bet.

JMHO,

Pat

 

[henryetta]

thanks for all the info....mine dust bathe daily as well and so far so good. We've had had a LOT of 'free range sparrows' taking up residence in my feeder!!! and really thought i was going to have problems... DE on floor, and ashes in 'baths' have seemed to ward off any unwanted intruders. AS well as me netting the whole coop and run to keep out the little beggers..

 

[ich-knut]

Thanks for the tips! I try not to wash them that often and look up on that ivermectrin stuff. I live in Los Angeles, so no such thing as feed store for farm animals. We have wild birds and wild squirrels that comes and go so I don't want to have mites problem on top of having a sick chicken. One of my silkie is sitting all the time and not eating much.