tick prevention

kirky · **Joined:** Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:29 am **Posts:** 3

For total tick prevention on a large flock [large flock being over 300] what is recommended course of action that does not require individual treating please

wheatenpekin · **Joined:** Sat Nov 13, 2010 8:01 am **Posts:** 2

you would have to do them individually and 300 is a big job

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

Sorry, Kirky, but I agree with weatenpekin.

There is no effective "in water" tick treatment that I'm aware of. Ivermectin or moxidectin in-water or topically doesn't seem to work for long enough IME.

kirky · **Joined:** Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:29 am **Posts:** 3

Dam I thought that would be the case, would you recommend a dip solution like Maldison 50 Insecticide

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

You can use maldison-based products as a dip but follow the directions closely and do it in a well ventilated area. I hate using the stuff on birds because it's so toxic. However, you can use it to spray the coop (or something like Coopex).

Alternatively, you could use frontline spray (not spot on).
The dose is 1 spray of a 250 ml bottle under each wing for every kg bodyweight of chicken. So for a 2 kg bird you'd use 2 sprays under each wing ie 4 sprays in total.
It can be used as often as fortnightly if tick numbers are high in the environment.

However, BEWARE: frontline is NOT REGISTERED for use in poultry. There are no withdrawal periods listed so if your flock is producing eggs for sale or they are meat birds then I'd be careful using it.

What I'm saying is that in our experience it is safe to use and effective. However, it is unknown exactly what levels of chemical would be in meat/eggs from treated birds. It is apparently not absorbed systemically in dogs and cats but nobody knows for sure in chickens).

Also, if you were unlucky and the birds had a reaction from the frontline (very unlikely in my experience), then you can't turn around and blame the manufacturer as they would say it is not registered for use in chickens. This same argument holds true for any drug used "öff label" to treat poultry.

kirky · **Joined:** Thu Nov 11, 2010 8:29 am **Posts:** 3

I will look at the price affective of both but the frontline is interesting and by the sounds may be the safest option at this stage. Thank you for your expertise

Bluemoon · **Joined:** Mon Nov 15, 2010 12:50 pm **Posts:** 2

A friend put me onto frontline for my small flock and it works as well on the chooks as it does on the 3 dogs I had problems with fleas on the chooks eyes but not anymore. Go with the frontline kirky

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