The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Bert on March 07, 2012, 10:41:00 am

Title: Front line for chickens
Post by: Bert on March 07, 2012, 10:41:00 am

Parasite season is very close if not already here. I've got my poultry shield and the stuff they dust bath in (can't remember the name of it right now) for mites and lice. What can I get for ticks? They will defiantly be a problem as the chickens will be running in and out of bracken all summer, where you can guarantee to find ticks. If I go nearer bracken I know I will be removing ticks from my legs when I get home. One of the down sides to living on Mull. there still not as bad as the bloody midgys. ;D 

Title: Re: Front line for chickens
Post by: colliewoman on March 07, 2012, 10:54:32 pm

I would have thought they would eat the tick before getting bitten, but that might just be guinea fowl?
We haven't seen a tick in years since the gleanies started patrolling :thumbsup:
But I don't know what you can put on the chooks, sorry.

Title: Re: Front line for chickens
Post by: Bert on March 08, 2012, 09:01:18 am

Thanks Colliewoman.
 Wasn't sure if you could get or needed anything for chickens. :chook:

Title: Re: Front line for chickens
Post by: in the hills on March 08, 2012, 09:49:13 am

Hi Bert

I have never seen ticks on my hens but had the occasional one on my dog. I think it depends on the tick population, as it were , in your area. When we went to Exmoor last year our dog was constantly covered in the little blighters. We went to the vet there and he was treated with a spot on but they still attached and we bought a manual tick remover that did the job.

I dont think that frontline is licensed for use on chickens but vets may prescribe it. My hens had lice last year and none of the usual products cleared them. The vet gave me a product that I believe was for horses! It worked instantly! I think you may have to just keep an eye on them and seek help from the vet if you get a problem.

Do they carry Lymes Disease where you are? You should keep arms and legs covered if they do. It can be transmitted to people.

Title: Re: Front line for chickens
Post by: Bert on March 08, 2012, 11:03:56 am

Morning in the hills
 I will have to keep an eye on my chickens. We front line the dog once a month or every 6 weeks because the ticks are that bad up here. As for the Lymes Disease it depends on which village gossip you listen to. Some say yes they do, others say no they don't. I think they all carry it, it just depends how many times you are bitten and how susceptible you are. ( I could be wrong, I am quite often! )