Lovely lice! *sarcasm*

[mollteaser]

Given the hens their regular check over today, two had a slightly mucky bottom...of course, I had a *really* good look.....and found a few lice! A few days warm weather.....so they've had a good spray and aren't talking to me. I've got a light Sussex who's a bit off colour, so wonder if this is why. We're not even into March yet! Have to keep a really close eye.

 

[Bertie & The Chooks]

taken from chris's mite thread...

Not spotted any mites yet, but two of my girls have dirty bottoms. on close inspection as suspected, lice! not bad, but time for powder baths! Will empty the coop out this week and spray with Indorex for both. We've always been luck with the mites with out Eucalyptus tree. Maybe this year we'll be as lucky! *fingers crossed*

 

[cuwiar]

Hi mollteaser, what product did you use to spray your girls with?

 

[mollteaser]

I always use DE as a preventative, but have taken the decision to use Johnsons Anti mite+lice, despite it not being sold for hens. It was recommended by a breeder I know, and trust, as she's got good husbandry. It's permethrin based iirc, and an email from Johnsons on another forum said withdraw eggs for a week. Typical when mine have all just come into lay. :roll:

 

[mollteaser]

taken from chris's mite thread...

Not spotted any mites yet, but two of my girls have dirty bottoms. on close inspection as suspected, lice! not bad, but time for powder baths! Will empty the coop out this week and spray with Indorex for both. We've always been luck with the mites with out Eucalyptus tree. Maybe this year we'll be as lucky! *fingers crossed*

Snap! I'll Google indorex....

 

[chrismahon]

You could use just the powder Mollteaser. No withdrawal, but they will need dusting every week for a month. We only use Johnsons (cat or dog) on really bad cases. Usually works with just a few squirts once below the vent but must not be used on broken skin.

 

[mollteaser]

I gave them a couple of squirts each this evening, just to.be on top of it. I hate using it, but I don't want it to get out of control. I'm really busy over the next fortnight, got meetings most evenings, what with my school becoming an academy, brownies , guides, the blooming jubilee....and my moms birthday. I'm just gutted that the hens have just come into lay:-(

 

[Bertie & The Chooks]

taken from chris's mite thread...

Not spotted any mites yet, but two of my girls have dirty bottoms. on close inspection as suspected, lice! not bad, but time for powder baths! Will empty the coop out this week and spray with Indorex for both. We've always been luck with the mites with out Eucalyptus tree. Maybe this year we'll be as lucky! *fingers crossed*

Snap! I'll Google indorex....

just to note i will not be using Indorex on my birds. just the surface areas. I will get some louse powder for the grounds and nesting.

 

[foxy]

I gave them a couple of squirts each this evening, just to.be on top of it. I hate using it, but I don't want it to get out of control. I'm really busy over the next fortnight, got meetings most evenings, what with my school becoming an academy, brownies , guides, the blooming jubilee....and my moms birthday. I'm just gutted that the hens have just come into lay:-(

It's terrible when our work/family get in the way of our chickens, just sooooo inconsiderate!

 

[mollteaser]

I know. How rude! Blimmin academies stuff is really stressing me, so I.could do with some relaxing chook time:grin:

 

[kristie]

EMPTY THE COOP THEN GET A HEAT GUN AND BLAST ALL THE NOOKS AND CRANNIES SPLITS AND KNOT HOLES EDGES OF BOARDS EDGES OF FRAME WORK, DON`T RUSH THE JOB IT ROASTS THEM THEN SPRAY WITH POWDER THEN TRY WHITE WASH IT SOUNDS GOOD THE COUP WILL SMELL LIKE ROAST CHICKEN FOR A FEW DAYS IF IT DOES IT MEANS YOU GOT THE LITTLE BUG---S. WARNING DON`T SET YOUR COUP ON FIRE OR GO NEAR ROOFING FELT WITH THE HEAT GUN WORKED FOR ME AFTER THEY DECIDDED TO ATTACK ME AND BITE HELL OUT OF MY FACE, I WAS ON FIRE IF THAT IS WHAT THE BIRDS FEEL NO WONDER THEY DON`T LIKE GOING NEAR INFECTED AREAS

 

[chrismahon]

i think treating red mite with a steamer may be much safer and just as effective although using a small one like ours will take longer. But not as much fun of course ! We've started using one before stripping a coop down as it gets rid of most so you don't get bitten. Very little water gets absorbed into the wood so there is little drying time needed before painting.

 

[mollteaser]

I've got an Eglu, so if I use a heat gun......big pile of melted plastic! It's lice not mites I've got....I wash my Eglu fortnightly, so hopefully, they won't take up residency.