Chicken bald back

[AgaSaga]

When I collected my hens from the breeder she gave them a dusting of louse powder each and told me to do it every month as a preventative measure. I went to give them their monthly dusting yesterday and found that the powder Id bought was for bedding and not to be applied directly to bird - oops! I thought Id read on previous posts that the active ingredient was safe to use.

I have Buz Busters Louse Powder containing Permethrin 0.336% w/w, D-phenothrin 0.249% w/w, Pyrethrin 0.09% w/w.

Any advice on what should I be using on the birds to prevent lice? I really dont want to get them so would prefer something strong.

As I was all prepared for 'the dusting' I used Diatom instead, although as I understand it, it isnt as strong as some powders.

 

Any advice would be great

 

Thanks

[fluffy chick]

I'll be interested to see what other people do actually. I dust the nesting box with smite (can be used in the house or on the bird) so they sit in it. I do this each week as I cannot be sure each bird it getting done iykwim?

[Egluntyne]

Many people do use permethrin on their chickens, with no ill effect even though it is *not licensed for use in poultry in the UK. . Essentially this just means that expensive clinical trials have not been performed, so no claims can be made for its efficacy.

[bouldercroft]

I have some food grade DE that I put in their dust baths - should I sprinkle it in the nesting box too?

[Chicken shack]

Check out this thread 'Mites and lice abound - another warning' if you read it through you will find out all there is to know on this subject. You will be able to work out what is best for you. I think I purchased everything that has been suggested on the thread At great cost but I think they are clear now.

[Lavenders_Blue]

I don't routinely dust my girls as a precaution. I do a weekly-ish check for creepy crawlies instead. Best place to check is around the vent and under the wings where it's nice and warm and the skin is soft. Lice are very very easy to get rid of if your girls do happen to catch them. Mine came with lice from the battery farm and a quick spray each with Johnson's anti-mite spray, repeated a week later to catch any hatched louse eggs, worked a treat. They have been louse free since.

[AgaSaga]

Thanks everyone for your advice, its amazing how many different approaches people take.

[Jools]

You're not wrong! There are so many different options and opinions these days, you'll be spoilt for choice - just find one that works well for you and your chickens.