lice

[marney57]

Hi i have had my ex batts since September, when i went into their coop some black creatures looking like thunderbugs jumped onto my arms etc so i think that the gals have them.

how do i get rid of them - i used poultry shield on the coop on saturday and sunday was clear and now on monday they are back!!! will they hurt my hens.

Chrissy

[sgelder]

The lice found on poultry do not suck blood as the lice found in other species of animals; rather they feed on dry skin scales, feathers, and scabs. However, they will ingest blood extruding from irritated skin. The entire life cycle of the lice occurs on the host bird, primarily in the feathers. Poultry lice are host specific and cannot be transferred to humans.

Lice powder which can be bought over the internet or on e-bay is quite effective, remember to treat their house as well as the hens, a cat litter tray with dry sand and lice or mite powder works well as a bath but, you may have to treat them by hand by gently rubbing powder in at the base of their feathers, over their back and stomach.

[marney57]

Hi,

Thanks for that will have another go.

Chrissy

[pomcycle]

Hi
We also have problems with parasites- anyone know where I can find good pictures to identify what they are? The ones I saw on our chickens were 1-2mm long and pale brown and on the skin. Are they lice or something else?

We dust the chickens and coop with a louse powder (repellant with lavendar and tea tree extracts) each month but it obviously hasn't worked, or we need to do it more often?

Is there a product that will kill them rather than repel them and do we have to throw away the eggs after treating the girls?