Flossie G Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Hello, I think one of my hens has lice - I've spotted what look like clumps of eggs next to her skin around her neck. Can anyone suggest an effective treatment (I'm a novice hen keeper)? I have some diatom earth: can I use that? Thanks, FG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 (edited) The best thing we found was "Johnsons Mite Spray"* available from pets at home in a spray tin (blue tin with a budgie on the front) it killed a lot of the mites immediately and within 24 hours the hen was lice free. It's relatively cheap and easy to buy. *Not licenced for use on poultry in the UK Edited September 21, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 I agree with Chelsea re the Johnsons Anti-mite but remember that it is not licenced for poultry in UK and you should withdraw eggs too. Diatom will work too....by scratching the lice bodies and dehydrating them but I am not sure how log this takes. Some really helpful information of all things creepy crawlies can be found in Claret's sticky at the top of this section and also in FAQ Poultry Health Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted August 18, 2009 Author Share Posted August 18, 2009 Many thanks for your replies. I'm trying the diatom earth first, but if things don't improve by the weekend, it's the Johnsons. I notice that there are rather a lot of posts about lice and mites at the moment. Obviously a hot topic! Thanks again. FG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 Hello, Diatom earth worked for a few weeks, but the lice are back. How long is the egg withdrawal period if I use Johsons anti mite? Yours itchily, FG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Found this on another thread, straight from the horse's mouth (Johnsons!) * if the eggs are for your own consumption, withdraw them for 48 hours after treatment * if you are selling your eggs to the general public, withdraw them for 7 days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 I have treated my girls for lice and have been told that lice eggs have a 5-7 days cycle so I spray the girls on day one and again on day 7 to make sure I get any new hatchlings/lice eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 Many thanks - that's just what I needed to know. So. Adios, lice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted September 22, 2009 Share Posted September 22, 2009 Hi Flossie, I've also had a bad year for lice on my girls - a permethrin bath (warm water, sink, dollup of dog flea shampoo containing permethrin (I kid ye not), hen...) seemed to work wonders, one hen is really bad so will use the spray on them 7 days after the bath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 Hello Cluckingmad, I nuked the lice with the Johnsons yesterday and I have to say that my hens seemed happier today. I managed a quick look at one of them (not easy, because they have beaks of steel) and I thought I saw less lice eggs. Don't like using the Johnson's, though. Worryingly toxic. FG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 It is, but then again... its the same stuff we use on kids to get rid of head lice I kid you not! It not actually as bad as it sounds though and I can't get over how well the girls looked afterwards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flossie G Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 Knowing this puts things into perpective. And my hens are happier as well, so maybe it's a necessary evil. All best, FG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Hi Flossie. I think so The thing that amazed me most was how good my girls were (mostly) when it came to bathing them... and they ALL loved the blow dry afterwards, so it just goes to show that all girls like a bit of pampering at times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
