The Poultry Keeper

Marti · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 14 Location: England

Hi,

I've found lice on my three new hens! No wonder they haven't been laying much!

I dusted with Diatom yesterday but they still have lice.

Does Diatom work for lice? Shall I dust again or just go for something else? I like the idea of the "natural" remedy and I worry Frontline will make the eggs (such that we get) inedible, but what do you guys think?

I can always go get some Frontline tomorrow. I've also heard of Johnson's Mite spray and also cat spot on.

So, what is best?

Thanks!!!

Marti

jaydee67 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:26 pm Post subject:

The hen house cleaner outers missed using DE a couple of times and now I have creepy crawlies on my hens - coincidence? You decide. I have dealt with my birds as here: http://forums.thepoultrykeeper.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=16464
which is a bit ott - but hubby wanted to try the blow torch and is happy to spray the jeyes! If you use frontline or Johnson's you will have an egg withdrawal period when you can't eat the eggs.

Marti · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 14 Location: England

Hi, thanks for the post. Were you treating for red mite? Sounds like you were. I am not aware that lice are in the bedding, though of course red mite would be in the house. Did you see anything actually on the birds? What did it look like?

What I am seeing is relatively large and easy to see lice!

I think the diatom is working but not as fast as I'd like.

Marti

jaydee67 · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 5:39 pm Post subject:

From the 'teenagers' I had something like a freckle crawl onto my hand. On the older birds in a different house I saw flesh coloured elongated creepies - ID has never been my strong point.

Will be ensuring the diatom is used from now on. Good idea to put it in dustbathing spots too.