How should a chicken be treated for ticks and feather lice? - briefly
Apply a veterinary‑approved acaricide—such as a permethrin spray or a dust like diatomaceous earth—directly to the bird’s skin and feathers, then clean and disinfect the coop, removing all nesting material. Repeat the treatment after 7–10 days and monitor the flock weekly to prevent reinfestation.
How should a chicken be treated for ticks and feather lice? - in detail
Effective control of ectoparasites on poultry requires a systematic approach that includes identification, sanitation, chemical or natural treatments, and ongoing monitoring.
First, confirm the presence of ticks and feather lice. Ticks appear as small, engorged bodies attached to the skin, often near the vent or legs. Feather lice are visible as moving specks on the plumage, especially around the vent, neck, and underwings. Use a magnifying lens to verify species, as treatment choices differ.
Second, improve coop hygiene. Remove all bedding, clean surfaces with a diluted bleach solution (1 % sodium hypochlorite), and allow the area to dry completely. Replace bedding with fresh, dry material. Reduce clutter and eliminate perches or roosts that can harbor parasites.
Third, apply appropriate therapeutics. Options include:
- Topical acaricides: Apply a permethrin‑based spray or dust to the bird’s skin, focusing on the vent, legs, and underwings. Follow manufacturer dosage; typically 0.5 ml per bird, repeated after 7 days.
- Oral ivermectin: Administer 0.2 mg/kg body weight once, then repeat after 5 days. Ensure withdrawal periods are observed for eggs and meat.
- Herbal remedies: Dust birds with diatomaceous earth (food‑grade) or a neem‑oil powder at a rate of 1 g per bird. These provide mechanical desiccation of parasites and have limited resistance risk.
- Environmental treatment: Distribute a residual acaricide dust (e.g., pyrethrin‑based) on coop floors, perches, and nesting boxes. Reapply according to label instructions, usually every 30 days during high‑risk seasons.
Fourth, treat the entire flock simultaneously. Parasites spread quickly; treating only affected individuals allows survivors to re‑infest treated birds.
Fifth, monitor effectiveness. After 48 hours, inspect birds for live parasites. Repeat inspections daily for one week. If counts remain high, repeat the therapeutic cycle or switch to an alternative class of acaricide to avoid resistance.
Sixth, implement preventive measures. Provide regular dust baths with sand or wood ash, maintain low humidity in the coop, and rotate pasture areas to disrupt life cycles. Schedule prophylactic treatments every 6–8 weeks during warm months.
Finally, document all interventions, including dates, products used, dosages, and observations. Accurate records support adjustment of protocols and compliance with food‑safety regulations.