batcatz Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Hi, I noticed my lavender aracauna had some lice on her body today. I was checking her by parting feathers on her back and saw two running about in different areas. One was clear, one was orangy yellow. They were quick to hide so didn't get a great look at them. I've had a quick search on the internet and it seems to be standard chicken louse. She's a young, very tame chicken not yet laying (hope its a hen) and shares a pen with another who I haven't yet checked. I've given her and my others a liberal coating of diatom powder. I tried to get as much under the feathers as possible, but I couldn't turn her upside down as although I can hold her for ages she just wants to perch on my fingers. I gave up when she flapped and we disappeared in a mist of diatom. I tried to look at her vent. The feathers around her vent looked dirty. After this she really shouted at me! I hope it wasn't crowing! Would a bath help in 10% poultry guard help? She needs one anyway, but I haven't tried it due to the cold weather, although I could keep her inside the house for one night. What's the best treatment? Anti Mite Johnson spray or could I use frontline as I have some here for the cats? I have read all 8 pages on the lice sticky, but there were so many products listed that I am now confused. Last question! She lives with another hen, Bianca so I'll treat her too. I also have 2 other hens in a seperate coop that had red mite and that's 99% gone. Just 1 or 2 on the perch that I remove and everything is smothered in diatom, poulty shield... so I guess I need to treat these too as Bianca Free ranges with them. I'm still getting nearly 3 eggs a day. Could I treat the lavender and Bianca first, then when the egg withdrawal period is over could I then treat the other 2? I'll miss the eggs! I've only had chooks since Aug and only got the lavender in Oct! Not much luck, but they all look healthy, fully feathered and healthy. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Not had a problem with lice but if I was you I would use whatever I had in between Johnson's and Frontline so guess it's frontline. I think if they mix I would treat them all at the same time but Frontline will protect as well as treat so perhaps you can afford to do them in turn Really hope your little chicken doesn't crow has she any signs? They all shout a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 We found a couple of lice on a chook yesterday so we've put Xeno 200 on all the chooks today, and will do it again in 10 days time to catch the newly hatched eggs (gives the Xeno a chance to arrive from my Amazon order too ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted December 13, 2009 Author Share Posted December 13, 2009 Thanks, decided to use Frontline drops tomorrow as I have some for the cats. I'll do them all at once and scramble the eggs up for the chooks for 7 days as Frontline isn't licensed for poultry. Phew. Feel less worried now! Its always seems scary when its the first time and i didn't expect to see anything! Plum, it was really loud, long shouting in a grating aracauna way. I've never heard her shout so loud before. She looks like a hen though, and has a small pea comb growing. I'll know soon as she's 26 weeks old this week and might start crouching. She's lovely as she runs to me to pick her up for a cuddle so fingers and toes crossed. Is it a bad idea to bath her bottom and head this time of year? V. cold! Brrrrrrr. I think she'd appreciate it as some head feathers are a bit matted together and similar with feathers near her vent. It just looks like dirt from all the rain and mud. She must have rolled around in the mud when I wasn't looking. Or shall I just leave her to it? She gets her head wet when she drinks sometimes. Phew, I'm glad I've had experience of bird keeping before. Must be quite daunting for complete newbies! I actually enjoy taking care of these lovely chooks and all the little jobs once I've got over the shock of the naughty lice and other pests. Always wanted to own a farm. lol Kinda in my element. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 Yes you can bathe her she'll need it. I would take her inside to do it though and dry with a hairdryer so her feathers are really dry and she won't feel the cold. Probably not a good idea to do it too often or they'll lose their waterproofing which they need now, so I would protect her from the rain for a bit. Lice, lovely hope they are gone soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 did you see the posting on lemon flash killing red mite? you could get the 100% then when does it get too cold for lice or doesn't it ever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 Yeah sandy, I did see that. I've been using poultry shield as I bought a huge supply of it, but can't find the beeping sprayer bottle now. My shed is full of wood as I'm extending the run so it will hiding in there somewhere! The 2 red mite I saw under the perch were not moving so I think they were dead from diatom. Yeah, its very puke puke at the moment! I think red mite die out in winter, but lice don't cos they live on the chickens nice, warm body? Right, off to bath lavender then off to b&q to buy more diy bits for the chicken run, then will flea them erm I mean frontline them, then I might have time to do some non chickeny things. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Have a read of this and see if it helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
