Our 3 year old lady has white clumping at the base of her feathers around her vent. She’s always had a bit of a messy rear but nothing ever noticed of concern. She has no other symptoms and appears happy and well. She is regularly wormed and we use Smite on occasion. Should I be treating for vent gleet or lice? TiA
Vent gleet or lice?
- Thread starter MidsYk
- Start date
chrismahon
Well-known member
Lice stick their eggs in clusters around the base of the feathers. Your photo appears to show a very early case which can be treated by dusting with louse powder. We use one little spray on the egg area of Johnsons dog or cat flea treatment, which isn't meant for chickens but does work. You won't be able to get the eggs off- the affected feathers will drop out during the moult.
Or you could cut the feathers away round her vent, which will help keep her cleaner and enable you to see more clearly what’s going on.
Be aware that if you use any kind of spot on flea treatment not licenced for chickens, such as Ivermection or Frontline, you will not be able to eat her eggs for several weeks. For a mild infestation in a productive hen, this isn’t really a good idea, I think. Inspect the others carefully, and powder them as well, because it’s unlikely that only one bird is actually affected.
Be aware that if you use any kind of spot on flea treatment not licenced for chickens, such as Ivermection or Frontline, you will not be able to eat her eggs for several weeks. For a mild infestation in a productive hen, this isn’t really a good idea, I think. Inspect the others carefully, and powder them as well, because it’s unlikely that only one bird is actually affected.