4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Barkisland]

Molly, my beautiful 'gentle giant' of a Barnevelder, has become very bald on her flanks, at both sides, over the course of a couple of months.

I've had a good look, and can see no obvious signs of mites or lice. No eggs, no matting, no bites. Her skin is a bit red sometimes, and I am tempted to put something 'soothing' on it - Calendula cream or something?

I don't know if she is pulling the feathers out herself, or if one of the others is doing it. I haven't seen any pecking going on, but 4 of my 6 girls have got varying degrees of baldness on their botties, and we have just isolated a bully this week.

She seems perfectly cheerful, and lays every day. Could she just be moulting? Can I put something on it? Do chickens get eczema? Should I take her to the vet?

I am fairly new to chook keeping, so would welcome any suggestions.

[Egluntyne]

There is a lot of it about. Three of my girls are exactly as you describe. They have all been treated with Xeno 200 Not licensed for use on poultry in UK and I have had a thorough look and can see no thing obvious, nor have I caught anyone pecking.

[Barkisland]

Thanks Egluntine, Re the Xeno 200, do you use the spray or the spot on treatment? And can I buy this online without a prescription?

[quickcluck]

You can buy it online it's around the £20 mark... I don't know if there is an egg withdrawal period, or why you would withdraw them

 

Does anyone know if it's a one of dosage or repeat over a number of days??

[Barkisland]

Thanks, I have ordered some Xeno 200 spray from VetUk (£18.75). Do I just give the baldies one dose, or should I treat all 6? And does it need to be repeated after an interval?

[Lewis]

I've never used it but if there is a lot spare, I'd do all 6.

They probably could do with another dose a few months on, not sure though.

[LJ's Chooks]

With Xeno you should treat all of them and all stages of lice life cycle

 

if they definitely have lice/mites, treat them, wait a week, treat again and then wait about 3 weeks and treat again...

 

... good reminder, mine need their last treatment!

 

I spray routinely every other month ... i guess just like worming, and this should build up resistance too.

 

Oh and bear in mind that xeno has a short life, it is useless when it is out of date, or nearing the end date, so keep the bottles up to date....

 

I feel like i am a lice expert!!!!! Egluntine should be proud...!!!

 

 

Lice seem bad this year, we've had our first ones, and still treating. Big bald patches on the girls again, but no obvious pecking, I think one of our girls thinks she is a cockrell and is jumping the others!!! Spring is in the air!!!

[The Dogmother]

You're right LJ; they are everywhere and I have been sent questions left, right and centre about treatment.