Is there a preventative for paralysis ticks on chickens (SE QLD Aus)?

[SarahMcF]

We live in south east Queensland, Australia and have nasty paralysis tick issues. Our geese have had a couple of run ins, we notice the birds not moving and remove the tick, give them charcoal water and nurse them back to health (fortunately!). We can check the geese for ticks as their feathers are fine and the bumpy tick stands out... but chickens aren't so easy to check I'm discovering - they don't like being petted much, and their feathers are chunky so ticks can hide easy!
We've had a couple of 6-8mth old chickens seemingly just fall off their perches (dead) overnight (one last night and one 3 months ago - so not close together). The chickens are very healthy, free ranging worm-treated boys and girls so these ones popping off are a mystery. I checked the dead birds over and couldn't see any problems; I have a strong suspicion that ticks may be the culprit, but would welcome any other suggestions as to what could have been the cause.
Would anyone have any tips on preventative treatment for paralysis ticks? We sprinkle diatomaceous earth, fresh lavender & rosemary leaves around their bedding that's changed weekly-ish already. I'd wondered about perhaps squirting a bit of eucalypt essential oil on the backs of their necks, perhaps watered down - I'd read that ticks don't like eucalypt? We had guineas, but they were so noisy and nipped at the hens. Any tips/tricks would be gladly welcome!

 

[cmom]

I don't know what you have available to you there but here in the US I use permethrin.

 

[cmom]

This might help.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/poultry-ticks.48763/

 

[cmom]

I noticed in the article under Treatment: permethrin is listed. As I said previously I don't know what you have available where you are but it has worked for me.
Treatment:
Demonstrated insecticidal (acaricidal) treatments for poultry ticks:
Permethrin (pyrethroid-neurotoxin), carbaryl (Sevin), coumaphos (organophosphate), malathion (maldison, organphosphate), stirofos (organophosphate). Of these, Permethrin is considered to be the most effective against poultry ticks.

 

[Ribh]

Also in SE QLD. It's been a bad year for ticks on chooks. In mho your best bet was the guineas. They clean up ticks like nothing else! The paralysis ticks I've actually spotted on a bird have burrowed between the comb & the head, or where the wattles meet the face.


My go to treatment is Black ointment ~ a drawing ointment. Its proper name is Ichthammol ointment. Vaseline will do in a pinch too. Either will smother the tick & they will start to back out, making them easier to remove.

I've had a number of unexplained deaths too but spider & snake bites are also high on my list of possible causes to say nothing of what the chooks may have found in my yard.

 

[SarahMcF]

I don't know what you have available to you there but here in the US I use permethrin.

I think it's available here too - could I ask how you go with consuming the chooks eggs after treatment / do you have a withholding period when you don't collect the eggs maybe? Thanks

 

[cmom]

There's no egg withdrawal period, so you can eat the eggs safely. I have had no issues.