lice and bathing your chickens in apple cider vinegar

[claireylow]

My girls and ducks have got lice, and are getting really irratated by them, i have ordered in some spot on treatment which should keep it under control, but i am worried it is not going to get to us in the post before we go on holiday, i have just read on another site that bathing your chickens and ducks in warm water with washing up liquid, then another bath with warm water and apple cider vinegar can really help - can anyone confirm, i keep reading about adding it to their water, but i just want them to feel happier, they are all scratching, and flicking their wings, sad chickens and ducks

 

[KootenaiRiverChick]

Thought I'd reply even though I haven't used apple cider vinegar topically. I use Poultry Protector, diluted per the instructions with water. I used a strong mixture as the lice were bad. It's non-toxic, the "killer" ingredient is citric acid, I believe. After a few applications, the lice were gone. You apply it directly to the affected hens once per week. It only took two or three applications and my affected hens are lice-free and sooo much happier. You should be able to purchase it at your local feed store. Sorry it's not the answer you were looking for, but I hope it helps.