[batcatz]

Hi, I noticed one of my hens had some louse on her body.  I was checking her by parting feathers on her back and saw two running about in different areas.  One was clear, one was orangy yellow.  They were quick to hide so didn't get a great look at them.  I've had a quick search on the internet and it seems to be standard chicken louse.  

She's a young, very tame chicken not yet laying (hope its a hen) and shares a pen with another who I haven't yet checked.

I've given her and my others a liberal coating of diatom powder.   I tried to get as much under the feathers as possible, but I couldn't turn her upside down.  Will also check her vent for louse eggs tomorrow.

What's the best treatment?  Is it Barrier Louse powder?  Frontline?

Would a bath help?  She needs one anyway, but I haven't tried it due to the cold weather, although I could keep her inside the house for one night.

Thanks,

[karlooben]

it sounds like she has lice , the louse powder  is ok but will probably only  keep them at bay ,i was told about frontline spray { although i used the drops} works wonders so give that a try 

[Foxy]

Yes agree with Looby, sounds like lice. Dont bother with bathing, won't make any difference, and can be stressful for a bird.

Dusting with Diatom is a good idea, you need to make sure you get right down to the base of the feather, under the wings and pay particular attention to the vent area where you will probably see the eggs clustered like caked icing sugar. You will need to apply again in a weeks time. Diatom works slowly, so dont expect to see immediate results. You will need to reapply roughly every 5 days until they have gone.

Other options are Johnsons Lice spray, or Frontline Spray or drops, note that Frontline is not licensed for chooks but the effect is immediate and residual. I have found the Johnsons spray to be effective too.

Oh did you mean Barrier Louse Powder??? if you did, then I advise dont bother you will be wasting your money, just expensive talc for chooks.

[dizzylizzie]

Hi, i have used frontline drops (the kitten strength) as foxy says, its not licenced for poultry, but they were new ex-batts, it was the weekend, and that was all i had. Worked a treat without any affects tho

[batcatz]

Thanks, decided to use Frontline drops as I have some for the cats.
Phew.  Feel less worried now!  Its always seems scary when its the first time!

[Brambles]

Just out of interest... do you throw away the eggs when you use frontline?  Never used it, but would like to know for future... Thank you...

[spider]

Where do you apply the frontline?

On the back of the neck?

Spider

[dizzylizzie]

Hi , i used  2-3 drops on the back of the neck...some people advise under the wing. NEVER put it under the wing!. I ate the eggs, and gave them to my kiddies without any adverse reaction. Dont sell the eggs because frontline is not registered for chucks!!

[joyfull]

I got the frontline spray from my vet and had to sign for it as it's not registered. Just a little suirt on the back of the neck  . Ate all my eggs also.

[dizzylizzie]

a well known pet store that now sells frontline refused to sell it to me for chickens...but is always handy to have in for any ferrel kittens that may live at the bottom of your garden

[SMD66]

A dedicated poultry vet sold me a frontline type treatment for my hens.  the advice was to not eat eggs for 7 days.
 It may or may not be the same as normal frontline but as the stuff I used WAS specifically for poultry and we were advised not to eat the eggs, then the stuff that ISN'T specifically for poultry I would be wary of.

[karlooben]

the johnsons spray was the other treatment i was trying to think of . i still ate my eggs and never had any probs  .
my girls have been clear ever since and that was must be 3 -4 months ago i done them but with them being on straw bedding at the mo is making me a touch paranoid but thats just me .

[batcatz]

Thanks, I frontlined my 4 chickens today.  I hope I did the right amount of drops, but it was difficult to tell!  Each frontline seems to hold about 4 drops.  I put less on the smaller hens.

I was planning to scramble up the eggs and feed them back to the chooks for 7 days.  Its a bit of a shame as 3 are laying and I love their eggs.

[dizzylizzie]

i ate my eggs, and im fine

[batcatz]

Phew, all four hens are fine today after their frontline treatment yesterday.  :-)  I gave the hen a bath too which she enjoyed and she looks amazing now.  She really did need it.

Dizzylizzie,  I'm v tempted to eat the eggs.  They laid 3 beauties today.  Just not sure.  I might do a poll to see how many eat them.  :-)