cluckingmad Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Hi all Today I picked up four gorgeous little pekin hens(went for three, fell in love with another one.. chicken maths prevailed!), got them home and after having a good check to make sure they were all in good condition found that the little white hen has A LOT of louse egg casings on the feathers around her vent and along her belly.. wouldn't you know she was the love at first sight one?!. One group of cases was so large it had totally covered the feathers by her vent, we gently snipped the worst affected feathers and binned them, dusted her with louse powder and popped her into the run with the other pekins... Now then. Have never had an issue with lice like this before so not sure if we need to remove as many of the affected feathers as possible or if its not an issue? If the cases are just that and there's no active louse infestation will she just moult as normal and get rid of the cases that way or are they going to cause her irritation? She seems happy enough in herself and is currently exploring her new home xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 There's a sticky regarding lice and mites at the top of the chicken clinic section; you should find all the info you need in that A salutary lesson to everyone to do a proper health check on any chicken before you buy it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Have to agree, I'm not usually an impulse buy kinda gal but this little one was pretty scruffy but such a lovely little character that I totally forgot any common sense! So, now I've finished itching let me just double check that I've understood correctly what needs to be done... 1. If badly infected with lice, bathe in 10% poultry shiled solution 2. Use ivermectin spot on (xeno?) between wings to kill any lice on body 3. Dust with louse powder as usual as a preventative Does that sound sensible? She IS pretty scratty bless her so a warm bath would probably be a good idea to clean up her feathers and loosen the egg cases if shes ok with it (think she was being trampled somewhat in the previous owners coup, she was in with two geese and lots of other birds), I didn't see any signs of live lice or other critters on any of the new girls or our existing ladies so doubt a mass bathing will be required... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Hi there, we ended up treating all of them with Ivermectin 1%. 2 drops on the back of the neck (making sure it goes directly onto the skin and not the feathers) One of our Pekins was covered in them, but as soon as she spent the night with the other girls, we were advised to treat them all! I shall resume my scratching and wish you luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 Bear in mind that louse powder is a preventative; if she has loads on her then the vet would probably suggest that you spray her twice a week apart with a spray which contains permethrin. This isn't licensed for use on poultry in the UK so take the vet's advice regarding egg withdrawal. I've just done the quarterly spot-on for mine (using Ivomec Eprinex - Not licensed for use on poultry in the UK) I also spray them just to be sure; none of them have lice but having had a couple with scaly leg mites in the past I always give their legs a preventative spray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share Posted June 17, 2012 Right - ivermectin 1% spot on given - only did one drop for each banty as they're only very small and two for the larger girls... scratch scratch scratch.... Some of our other girls also have crawlies (not mixed with newbies yet), so alllll being treated! Will the ivermectin kill both lice and mites? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 I think it depends on the type of mite. Will kill most but for Northern Fowl Mite you need Ivomec Eprinex on prescription. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 Thanks, definately NOT northern, spotted some lice on one of our existing hens (Suzie the sultan, she seems prone to getting them in her fabulous hairdo bless her, guess its because she can't reach the top of her head to preen as well as on the rest of her!)... our little boy's been ill in hospital for several weeks so the girls haven't been having their usual weekly checks, Flo the gigantic cochin has scaly leg mite so hoping the ivermectin will knock them on the head too, she'll have a spray with Johnsons anti-mite spray tomorrow and has had some tea tree cream rubbed in to ease any discomfort. Was so lovely today to just spend a bit of time with them all, little Sam was fast asleep in his car seat so we could get on with the hens They really do brighten my day no end, just picked up a second hand purple eglu this evening so our new hybrids can move in as soon as its been given a second clean x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Hope your son's doing OK. Ivermectin is good for scaley leg. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Where are you all getting the Ivermectin from? Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 Emma, I ordered it online, don't need a prescription for it xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 I wish I hadn't noseyed into this thread as I am now scratching just reading it and I havn't even checked the girls this weekend but having read it I have now decided that prevention is better than cure. So have I got it right I need to order 1% Ivermectin Sorry I am a being bit thick but the more I read the more confused I get I should be Blonde no offence to any blondes out there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted June 25, 2012 Author Share Posted June 25, 2012 Keyhole kate - glad its not just e that itches at the very thought of the horrid little things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red girl Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Just found lice on some of my girls yesterday So i used the lice powder i have on all of them and after reading up on lice i have ordered Ivermectin 1%. My next question is how many drops do you put on LF and how often and for how long? Sorry for all the questions but first time dealing with lice and and want to get it right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 It should be dosed by weight and the dosage should be on the product packaging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share Posted June 26, 2012 Hi Red girl, if I remember right its 1 drop per 500g bodyweight but do check on the packaging as my memory isn't exactly wonderful! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
