Use of Frontline for external parasites - query

OK, this is a controversial subject and one I have done much research on. Yes a lot of people do use it, however it is NOT licensed for poultry and you should never use it on birds unless it is prescribed by your own vet. They then take responsibility for the dosage (bird will have to go in and be weighed btw) and any side effects.

Unfortunately because it is freely available over the Net and people purchase it for dogs and cats (which of course it was manufactured for) they then decide to use it on their birds. Of course it is a powerful and effective insecticide, it is also highly toxic to aquatic organisms and some game birds. People like to use it as a "quick fix" rather than taking the trouble to have a dusting routine because you get an instant effect (JM I'm not suggesting this in your case of course).

I've had many discussions about this both on and off forums, probably upset a fair few people tbh. I also consulted Victoria Roberts about it (via a well know smallholding magazine) and she replied to me, in a nutshell agreeing with my concerns. I can reproduce the entire answer here if mods allow or you can PM me for it.

I have always been concerned about the use of chemical treatments directly on a food source - even if you don't eat your chickens you do eat the eggs - and for someone such as myself who sells a lot of eggs to the general public have to be even more careful.

Lice are easy to treat using good old diatomaceous earth which is perfectly safe and natural. A good smothering of each bird with it will kill the lice (not instantly, but they will be gone after a few days) and retreatment after a week to catch hatching eggs usually suffices. Thereafter a preventative dusting every month is usually enough. It also has the advantage of deterring red mite too.

I could wax lyrical about this subject for ages, ad nauseum, but will leave it here for now.

Thanks RH. I don't really like using these persistent chemicals either but its so hard otherwise to get rid of some parasites. I didn't know you could get Frontline over the net though , I thought it had to be prescribed. If you think diatomaceous earth will do for the lice then I'll happily use that. I didn't realise that they were easier to get rid of than mites (possibly because they are so much bigger but why that should be relevant I've no idea).

I'd be interested in seeing Victoria Robert's article if allowed. It might be useful for other folks too.

You must only eat organic meat RH, I'm sure that sheep dip must be highly toxic, and all herbivores used to be dosed with Ivermectin (Not sure they are now though). I did realise the birds would need to be weighed as I have dogs of different sizes who have to have different doses, and you have to apply Harkers as per body weight. I guess show folk with pure breed Belgian banties ain't keeping them for eggs!

Thanks for your input.

JM

You can buy Frontline in most petshops and chemists now. No prescription needed.

I think that's one of the reasons it is abused veggiechicken, because it is so freely available.

With the mods approval I will copy out the article on here for everyone to read.

I only use it for dogs and was surprised to find that my local petshop sold it and the Coop pharmacy is always having special offers for it. It used to mean a trip to the Vets and full price. I wouldn't dream of using it for any creature other than it is intended for.

This issue has cropped up before and so I have closed this thread pending the Editorial team's view on the issue.