How do you treat chickens for feather lice? - briefly
Apply a licensed insecticide—such as a permethrin spray or dust—directly to the birds and their environment, following the product’s dosage instructions and repeating the treatment after 7‑10 days; maintain strict coop hygiene and regular litter changes to prevent recurrence.
How do you treat chickens for feather lice? - in detail
Feather lice infestations damage plumage, reduce egg production, and may cause anemia. Effective control requires accurate diagnosis, appropriate medication, and environmental management.
First, confirm the presence of lice by inspecting the vent, underwings, and tail feathers. Look for live insects, brownish droppings, or feather loss. Heavy infestations appear as clumps of lice moving among the feathers.
Choose an approved ectoparasiticide. Common products include:
- Permethrin‑based sprays or dusts (0.5 % concentration). Apply to the entire bird, focusing on the vent, underwing, and tail region. Allow the bird to preen for 10–15 minutes, then keep it in a clean, well‑ventilated area for at least one hour.
- Pyrethrin powders (0.5 %–1 %). Dust each bird thoroughly, ensuring coverage of all feather groups. Use a dust‑applicator to reach concealed areas. Repeat after 7 days to break the lice life cycle.
- Spinosad oral formulations (10 mg/kg). Administer via drinking water or feed, following the manufacturer’s dosage schedule. This systemic option eliminates lice that feed on blood.
After medication, clean the coop:
- Remove all bedding, litter, and debris; discard or heat‑treat at 140 °F for 30 minutes.
- Wash perches, nesting boxes, and feeders with hot, soapy water; rinse and dry completely.
- Apply a residual insecticide spray to the coop structure, targeting cracks and crevices where lice hide.
- Replace bedding with fresh, dry material.
Implement a regular monitoring program. Inspect the flock weekly for the first month, then monthly. Record any re‑infestation signs and retreat if necessary.
Preventive measures reduce the need for repeated treatments:
- Maintain low humidity and good ventilation to discourage lice development.
- Provide dust‑bathing areas with fine sand or wood ash; chickens will self‑clean, removing parasites.
- Rotate pasture and avoid overcrowding; limit bird density to 2–3 birds per square meter.
- Quarantine new birds for at least 30 days and treat prophylactically before integrating with the main flock.
Following these steps—accurate detection, targeted medication, thorough sanitation, and consistent prevention—will eradicate feather lice and protect the health of the flock.