How Quickly Does Albendazole Work?

[helenw]

Hi all, I have occasionally used the omlet forum for reference but not really posted much on here before. I have had chickens for just over a year and their numbers keep growing. But recently after speaking to another omlet member I have been encouraged to come on here for some help.

We started with 6 girls and up until now we've not had too many problems we've had two die unrelated, elizabeth after being nursed back to health with an eye infection but the vet said she probably had the infection get into her blood stream. I then a few weeks later bought another 5 and then ruby very soon after we got her died probably due to the stress of the move. Since Elizabeth died, about 4-5 months ago, another one of my girls started to lose tail feathers, at the time I checked with the vet and was told to keep an eye on her she is absolutely fine in herself no change with eating or laying and seems perfectly happy. None of the other hens had any problems. However in the last two weeks most of the other 9 girls are all experiencing the same problems, they are nearly all loosing feathers in the same area.

Today my husband collected the eggs and they had loads of what I presume are mites all over them. They are tiny and grey in colour. I've not seen any red. I must admit since the summer holidays they have gone longer than their usual thorough weekly clean out. sometimes it has been about a week and a half and with this weather it is probably not helping, they were cleaned thoroughly with disinfectant and louse powder only a couple of days ago which they are everytime they are cleaned. I'm normally pretty stringent about cleaning the hen house. But now we have this infestation I was hoping for some advice. I feel terrible and there are so many different suggestions about how to deal with it I just don't know what to do.

sorry for all the waffle, I just need some advice. All the girls are fine in themselves eating normally laying normally they all seem perfectly happy.

If someone might be able to give me an idea what type of might this might be and maybe the best way to treat it then I will start ordering stuff to get it sorted.

 

Also are the eggs safe as I've just given my neighbours a load!!!

[Plum]

There's a sticky at the top of this section where Claret gives some really good advice.

 

I wash down and knock the sides of the cube to loosen any bedding in the joins then spray with poultryshield which kills mites and protects, but as you say everyone does different.

 

Glad to hear your girls are ok, I've not heard anyone say there is a problem with eggs when they have mites.

[Egluntyne]

It sounds more like lice than mites.

 

Are there clumps of eggs adhering to the feathers around the vent?

 

If so, I'd spray them all with Johnson's Anti Mite spray ( works for Lice!). Available from pet shops for less than a fiver. There is an egg withdrawal period of 48 hours with this product (manufacturers advice)as it is *not licensed for use on poultry in UK..

 

The eggs you have just given your neighbours will be fine.

[Plum]

Ooops didn't use mine for 7 days