How to get rid of lice eggs on chicken?

[Contolini6]

We have a pullet who I noticed today that the feathers under her beak and chin are encrusted with tiny white dots. Tried to pick them off or wash with water and mild soap but that did nothing. I've noticed that this area has has this funny texture for a while, but today is the first time I've examined it closely. Silly me, I know. I did notice one tiny little fast-moving yellow thing in her feathers the other day, but discounted it because I looked and could only find one. Today after examining her there was one on my hand as well. I think she has lice, and the white things are eggs. But I don't think it's a major infestation, at least not yet.

She is not losing feathers in patches, and her vent is clean. No scaly legs either. This is the only spot that is problematic so far.

How should we go about taking care of this? Does their coop and run need to be sprayed with something (I've heard Sevin or DE)? Should she and the other chicken be sprayed? Or just use coconut oil to get rid of the eggs? Do we have a major outbreak in the making and have to act quick?

This chicken also fell ill last week-- she couldn't stand or keep her balance. We were worried it was Marek's but after a week of nursing her she is definitely getting better. Still somewhat unsteady and sometimes has a hard time getting up if she falls over, but definitely a lot better, and she is eating and drinking like normal. So probably not Marek's (short of a miracle, we did have a lot of people praying for her including a priest, haha) because I've never read that chickens can recover from that. So I was wondering if these two things could possibly be related?

Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Unwell birds can get overwhelmed with external parasites. I would get a pyrethrin based poultry dust and dust her well repeat weekly for a while. You may need to pick the clumps off as lice egg clumps don't often come off easy.

 

[Contolini6]

On closer examination she definitely has little lice crawling around and a few eggs around her vent as well. We are going to get some de-lousing dust today or tomorrow. The other chicken also has a few, but not as many. We should clean out their coop really well I imagine? And how exactly does one dust a chicken?
Also, I read that putting petroleum jelly on the lice eggs can stop them from hatching so I did that last night. It was all I could do at the moment. Does that actually help?

 

[Kiki]

Permethrin bases sprays are easier to use on a coop...and chicken IMO.

 

[gilbert2]

There is a shampoo for humans, called A-200 Pyrinate, that is used to rid people of lice. It might work for you. Can be found in pharmacies--ask the pharmacist for help.
A good tool for you could be a dry toothbrush with rather stiff bristles. The toothbrush could even be used as a shampoo aid for the infested areas.

 

[AnnaGraceD]

My chickens had lice. I gave them both a bath, and that seemed to help a lot. I think chicken lice are much more sensitive than human lice. After that i heavily dusted them with DE. Sevin dust would work even better. I did ot again about 8 fays later and they were gone.The coop will need a deep cleaning and dusted with Sevin dust, DE, or wood ashes works well . Be careful, because too much can be poisonous but spreading some cedar chips (sawdust) helps prevent it and makes it smell great! Hope it helps!

 

[Kiki]

Sevin is not approved for poultry and
DE is pretty much worthless and dangerous.
Please do not use either of these two on your birds.

 

[AnnaGraceD]

Sevin is not approved for poultry and
DE is pretty much worthless and dangerous.
Please do not use either of these two on your birds.

I am sorry. I should have mentioned that was my unprofessional advice that worked for me.

 

[JDisme]

@KikisGirls knows whats up. I sprayed after a CL deal before i knew what to look for. Infected my whole flock. Spray knocked em down

 

[Contolini6]

Sorry, what's CL?