Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Lice
No matter how hard you try to prevent it, lice will infest your flock. Even if you allow
your birds free range to take as many dust baths as they like — their own method for
controlling these parasites — lice will take hold of them. Once they are established, you
continuously have to work to exterminate them.
WITHDRAWAL PERIODS ARE MANDATED!
A
withdrawal period
is the time between when a medicine is given and when eggs
and meat from the medicated bird can be legally consumed or sold. For example, if
you have to use wormer or any other medication during the laying season, it is im-
portant that you follow the withdrawal guidelines on the package, and dispose of the
eggs laid during that period. This often means refraining from using eggs for about 7
to 10 days.
Although ingesting eggs or meat from poultry that has been given worm medica-
tion may not noticeably harm some people, others with an intolerance for or allergy
to certain medications — even minute amounts — may have allergic-type reactions.
Follow all of the guidelines on the medication label. Better to be safe than sorry.
Under no circumstances should you ever consume eggs or meat that have been given
medication if the medication lists a standard withdrawal period.
Certain varieties of chickens are more resistant to lice infestation and will fight them
off much easier than will others. Ameraucanas, Leghorns, Andalusians, Shamos, and
Cornish all seem to tolerate lice and mites well.
Other breeds seem to constantly have lice. Barnevelders, Orloffs, and Cochins must
be monitored constantly.
Symptoms
Most times, you'll first encounter large crawling lice in the bird's vent area. Eventually
feathers will start to look like they have little ornaments attached to them. Those are the
louse eggs that hatch into the insects that continue to move around the bird and lay more
eggs. Around the vent area, under the wings, and in the feathers along the flank are the
places most likely to have eggs and lice. Once you find one infested bird, always check
the entire flock and start treatment as quickly as possible, before the lice overwhelm the
birds.
Nontoxic Treatment for Lice
