Chicken bald back

[Chickabee]

I've read that crested Polands can have trouble with a certain type of lice in their crest. Is this common, and do you think I should use some kind of prevention. I don't like using chemicals unless I have to. What would you treat it with? I have diatomaceous earth. Because they free range all the time they don't have a dust bath. In fact I've not even seen them try to make one

[Daphne]

Its true they can get lice/mites in their crests, so they should be checked regularly. Frontline spray (not the drops they are too strong) *which is not licensed for poultry* is effective.

[Chickabee]

Thank you. I will get some just in case

[gavclojak]

I use an ivermectin based spot on available from flyte so fancy... I use every 12 weeks and coincide this with worming

[Chortle Chook]

I use a liberal dusting of lice powder but to be honest, even when I go for a while without doing this I've not had problems other than a terrible time about 18 months ago when I bought in 2 girlies that were horribly infested. Then I got a spot on from the vet. The lice had got into their eyes and it was a real mess

[Chickabee]

Yuk. I gave these 2 a really good check over before I agreed to buy them. Have learnt from my mistakes