[chelle]

Some of my hens have bald patches, checked the worse of the bunch, who has a huge bald patch on breast, and found some tiny crawleys on her, im assuming its lice, can anyone tell me the best remedy to rid the little critters, many thanks

[purplebat]

could they be lice; check out this post
http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=4003

[chelle]

Hi pb, maybe im totally stupid, but are red mites red? cos the crawlies on my girls are a grey colour, thats why i thought they were lice, are lice and mites 2 different things altogeher?   Theres no change in egg production always had 3 a day out of 4 hens, any ideas?

[purplebat]

in that case they probably are lice, but then I am no expert I just read all the posts on here    luckily I haven't noticed anything like that on my girls, hopefully some-one else will be along who knows more than me

[chelle]

thanx anyway, all help appreciated, ive only had hens since january, so im a total novice  :roll:

[purplebat]

you've got one month on me then!  

[Aunt Sally]

Hi pb, maybe im totally stupid, but are red mites red? cos the crawlies on my girls are a grey colour, thats why i thought they were lice, are lice and mites 2 different things altogeher?   Theres no change in egg production always had 3 a day out of 4 hens, any ideas?

 Your chooks have lice  :evil:

Red mites are microscopic about 1mm, they are red because they have had a blood meal.  They only go on to your hens to feed at night.  During the day they hide away in the dark cracks and crevasses in the hen house.

Lice are larger and grey.  They chew at the hens skin rather than suck its blood.  There are a number of types that hens can get on different parts of the body.  You need to give your hens a good dusting with lice powder.  (Red mite powder is effective against lice) immediatly and again in about a week.  Dust the hen house too incase there are any stow aways there.

And stop scratching