Chicken bald back

[gavclojak]

Hi all, I have had the girls for 4 weeks Sunday, still have not picked all of them up yet!! This weekend we are going to treat for mites/lice ect....can anyone give me any tips, what is the best to use and what is the best method of administration. Really not looking forward to separating the feathers, am scared I am going to damage them. Also not sure I'd one is either moulting or she is just in a rough way from coming from the 'barn' they were kept in (ex batts) how would I know?

I am sure you guys will have the answers for me. Massive thanks

[good_egg]

I use invermectin spot on (or previously frontline)... Neither are licensed for chickens so I couldn't recommend, but the frontline was prescribed by a vet and I moved to invermectin as there was more info on here about egg withdrawal etc. I also put diatom in their bedding and dust bath.

[The Dogmother]

I also used a spot-on and spray if I find lice... can't be bothered with dusting a dozen or so fidgety bantams

[gavclojak]

What a great tp, I didn't realise I could use spot on treatment, are they the same as the dog ones, my vet by his own admission is not a poultry expert, and are they used on the back of the shoulders? That seems so much easier and less stressful.

I read this forum in awe!! Everyone seems to know there chickens really well, I have had mine 4 weeks and am struggling to tell two of them apart!

I am not sure who lays regularly and who doesn't!!

[good_egg]

A wee spot on the back of the neck on the skin and a wee spot under each wing.... I'm sure someone will tell you if I have made that up, but its why I do. The frontline from the vet was a spray for cat and dogs, I bought the invermectin from flyte so fancy.... They are really helpful if you have any questions etc on what you need, best tonic for what etc well worth a phone call.

[gavclojak]

That is perfect, thanks so much for your help x

[The Dogmother]

You spot them on the skin at the back of the head - the reason being, that like cats and dogs, that's the one place they can't groom/preen and thus ingest it. Any spot-on drugs are recommended by the vet 'off label' so they will need to see one of the hens before they can prescribe it.

 

Your vet will advise on any egg withdrawal period associated with the product they recommend.

 

Might be worth you phoning around the vets in your area to find one who does know about chickens. roughly where do you live? There's a thread on here somewhere with a list of chicken-savvy vets.

[gavclojak]

Hi there

I took my dogs to my vet today and it seems I know more about chickens than he does, and that's not a lot! But they are happy and healthy touch wood so am doing ok at the moment. I live in Bromley Kent so will have to research the area for a chicken vet:) would much prefer the spot on than the hassle of separate treatments for mites etc. thanks again

[The Dogmother]

There is a sticky/discussion about lice and mites (you may have already spotted it) which provides lots of ideas and information. Be sure that you still treat your coop as well though; while the preventative is mainly for bird-bound lice and mites, it will help against those in the housing but you still need to spray and powder every week in there as well.

 

I use Total Mite Kill Concentrate and Buz Busters powder.

Edited June 27, 2013 by Guest

[gavclojak]

Thank you that is really helpful, I have been washing the cube out weekly with soapy water and then spray with a Johnson's cleaner then spraying with diatom earth, I clean the pull out trays daily and have not seen any sign of bugs, so will go out and invest in some of your recommendations.

I was told the birds would have been treated but as I have had them four weeks now thought it might be a good idea to do them for bugs and worms:((

[The Dogmother]

The soapy water bit is spot on, just make up a spray of the TMK concentrate (1 part in 10) and spray it on when dry, then puff Buz Busters in all the crannies. Repeat weekly.

[gavclojak]

Ah thanks your help is much appreciated, I am really nervous about the picking up and turning upside down to dust and check them over, am I being silly and how quickly will they forget when it's over? I am so scared of traumatising them!

[The Dogmother]

Don't worry, the more you do it, the more they (and you!) will get used to it. If you are using a spot-on then you don't need to dust them.

[The Dogmother]

Ah thanks your help is much appreciated, I am really nervous about the picking up and turning upside down to dust and check them over, am I being silly and how quickly will they forget when it's over? I am so scared of traumatising them!

 

I hope you don't mind me asking, but roughly where are you located? You should be able to find a chicken keeping course in your area which shows you how to do this; check the courses page on the Omlet site.

 

ETA link to courses page

Edited June 27, 2013 by Guest

[gavclojak]

Ah thank you, I did a course at henidorm but I have lost all confidence, it seemed so much easier with someone else's girls than my own, I sound like such a wholly....wish I lived near Banbury:))