[mo-jo]

I don't believe it.  My chickens are at the stage where I can pick them up for short periods of time and thought it best to check them for beasties.  And guess what, they have lice.

I've just treated them all with spot on flea stuff, is there anything else I need to do?  will this really get rid of them and how long will it take?  I'm totally freaked out as I hate creepy crawlies

Also could this be the reason for one of my girls not laying yet.  They are about 26 weeks old and out of the 4 she is the only one not laying but they all have lice.

Another question, any ideas why they have lice? is there something I've done or is just one of those things?


Any advice would be appreciate.

Thanks
Jo

[PaulineM]

Hi   
I have my chickens about 7 weeks now, and after a few weeks was able to check them for lice and yes they had them too. I used frontline and the next day they were completely free of lice and so far still are.
I think they can pick them up from wild birds too so we just have to keep checking them and treating were appropriate.
Only 3 out of my 6 hens are laying so I think they all start at different times.
Patience is a virture (as they say) 

[mo-jo]

Thanks Pauline, was worried that there was something I had done.  I didn't use frontline but a product called Bob Martin.  Hope this works just as well as frontline, if not I will have to pop to shops to get some.

[Goldfinger]

Mo-Jo, did you say you used 'spot on', as in the Bob Martin flea stuff, not the Frontline stuff??

I'm about to do my worming (flubenvet at the ready  ), lice checks I was wondering, is there a difference between the two products, cos our Aldi has the Bob Martin Cat and Kitten stuff in at the moment.

[mo-jo]

Yes I have used the Bob Martin spot on stuff for cats.  I'm hoping its just as good as frontline.  Hopefully someone on here can tell us.

[Chookiechook]

I have used the Johnsons anti mite spray for cagebirds in the past and it seemed to do the trick....

Look for an ingredient called Perethmin or something like that..... cant remember exactly, but it will be close enough to recognise it..... that is what kills the beasties

And remember to reassure your chickens that only the cleanest of chookies will get headlice!!!! 

[Goldfinger]

Headlice  !!

Just had to do the kids, AGAIN!!   

[Sassy]

I have used the Johnsons anti mite spray for cagebirds in the past and it seemed to do the trick....

Look for an ingredient called Perethmin or something like that..... cant remember exactly, but it will be close enough to recognise it..... that is what kills the beasties

And remember to reassure your chickens that only the cleanest of chookies will get headlice!!!! 

I think permethrin may be the word you need, then again I may have it wrong!

[mo-jo]

I've been and bought some ivermectin.  Its for cage birds but I've been told I can use it on chooks so when I get home its a big clean out and then I will try to treat the girls again, which will be fun coz 2 of them aren't keen on being caught.

[Sassy]

Do it at night after they have gone to bed and are dopey and already confined in one place