How to treat lice in hens? - briefly
Apply a poultry‑approved insecticide such as permethrin or pyrethrin spray or dust to the birds and thoroughly treat the coop after cleaning. Follow the product’s dosage instructions, repeat the application after 7–10 days, and keep infested hens isolated to prevent re‑infestation.
How to treat lice in hens? - in detail
Lice infestations in laying hens cause feather loss, skin irritation, reduced egg production, and can spread rapidly in crowded housing. Effective control requires accurate diagnosis, immediate therapeutic action, and long‑term management to prevent re‑infestation.
The first step is to confirm the presence of chewing lice (Menopon, Lipeurus, or Chelopistes species). Examine the bird’s vent area, under wings, and along the back for small, gray‑white insects moving quickly when disturbed. Use a fine‑toothed comb or a white towel to collect specimens for microscopic identification if necessary.
Therapeutic measures fall into three categories: chemical, botanical, and environmental.
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Chemical acaricides
• Permethrin‑based sprays or dusts applied at the label‑recommended concentration.
• Carbaryl dust applied to perches and nesting boxes, ensuring thorough coverage.
• Organophosphate products (e.g., dichlorvos) reserved for severe cases and used only by licensed personnel due to toxicity. -
Botanical options
• Diluted pyrethrin spray (1 % active ingredient) applied to the plumage and coop surfaces.
• Neem oil (5 % solution) misted on birds once daily for three consecutive days.
• Essential oil blend containing tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus (0.5 % in carrier oil) applied sparingly to the vent area. -
Environmental sanitation
• Remove all manure, litter, and feather debris; replace with fresh bedding.
• Disinfect roosts, perches, and nesting boxes using a 1 % bleach solution, followed by thorough rinsing.
• Rotate coop sections weekly, allowing a minimum of 14 days without birds to break the lice life cycle.
After treatment, monitor the flock for at least two weeks. Re‑examine a representative sample of birds every three days; absence of live lice confirms efficacy. If live insects persist, repeat the chosen acaricide after a 48‑hour interval, respecting the product’s withdrawal period for eggs.
Prevention hinges on biosecurity and husbandry practices. Keep the coop dry, provide adequate ventilation, and avoid overcrowding. Implement a quarterly inspection schedule, and apply a low‑dose pyrethrin spray prophylactically during peak summer months when lice activity peaks. Separate newly acquired birds for a minimum of 30 days and treat them pre‑emptively to avoid introducing parasites.
By combining accurate identification, targeted treatment, rigorous cleaning, and ongoing preventive measures, lice infestations can be eliminated and kept under control, preserving bird welfare and maintaining optimal production.