chocolatedog Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Hi - wonder if folk can help. I'm pretty sure my girls have got lice. I thought initially Pepper was going through a moult - all her frilly knickers plus tummy feathers as I couldn't see any lice eggs on her (but then she's lost all those feathers so presumably the eggs fell off too?) Her remaining feathers on her tummy are really manky as if she's got them all clagged up with mud or similar from mud-bathing. Anyway I caught Ginger yesterday, although her plumage has looked OK so far (but yesterday her vent feathers looked slightly soiled) and bingo! Lice eggs round her vent feathers. So at least I now know I'm dealing with lice. Question is, what's the most effective way of dealing with them? Diatom? Barrier Louse Powder? Frontline? Johnson's Anti-Mite Spray? And are they all safe to use on bare areas of skin or do I have to avoid those areas and just treat the feathered areas? I'd read about something being an irritant and obviously don't want to irritate Pepper's bare skin........ Oh well, I suppose I couldn't have hoped to avoid critters for ever! I've probably been very lucky so far! (Oh yes, Pepper has also been laying a lot of softies over the past 6 weeks but I put that down to the long daylight hours as she did similar last summer too..... but I think I might have read that these too could be due to lice?) Sorry I haven't been here for ages - BTW my toddler loves the girls - he goes up to let them out of the run for me, and loves stroking Ginger when she squats for him - he's actually extremely gentle! So I'm very glad I kept the girls after my concerns of last year..... BTW I have checked for mites in the eglu - under the roosting bars and droppings tray/nesting box etc. and can find no traces of blood whatsoever - I regularly dust with Barrier Red Mite Powder but will this kill off any lice in the eglu etc? Obviously it won't kill what's on the girls themselves...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I used Johnsons Anti-Mite spray effectively (*not licensed for use on poultry in the UK*). A couple of squirts round the bum area did the trick. I did the same 3 days later. There's an egg withdrawal period - can't remember if it's 3 or 7 days though .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Chcoclatedog, sorry to hear about the lice - there are lots around this year! See here for advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted September 13, 2009 Author Share Posted September 13, 2009 Hi - an update. I called my vet and he gave me a prescription of Ivermectin drops to be used once a week for the next 3 weeks, so hopefully that should help to sort the girls out. I have to bin all the eggs though (I'm already binning a lot of soft ones from Pepper and Spice!) for the next 3 weeks plus the following 10 days after the last treatment. So that's roughly a month's worth of eggs. Oh well, I shall just have to avoid recipes needing eggs - I really wouldn't like to have to buy from the supermarket!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 That's good then - at least that will sort the problem. What strength are the Ivermectin drops from the vet? I get 0.8% ones so just wondered what a vet prescribes Edited to say- I have read that Ivermectin can be prescribed for humans with worms, scabies or even persistent head lice so I personally don't worry too much about egg withdrawal. At least I know if I eat the eggs I'll be worm, scabie and lice free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I have read that Ivermectin can be prescribed for humans with worms, scabies or even persistent head lice so I personally don't worry too much about egg withdrawal. At least I know if I eat the eggs I'll be worm, scabie and lice free My thoughts exactly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted September 14, 2009 Author Share Posted September 14, 2009 They're 0.8% Ivermectin - I probably could have got them cheaper elsewhere, but I just thought I would get the vet's advice as they're an excellent practice...... He suggested the egg withdrawal period as he said they're not licensed for poultry....... anyway, my girls are laying a lot of softies anyway so I won't lose many good ones!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
