Grooming or Lice

[Hungry Hannah]

Hi All,

Not sure if i am over reacting, but though best be cautious and ask you guys.
Having not kept chooks (or any birds) before, I have no idea how much they groom. All 3 of them were having a go most of yesterday. tried checking under their wings for lice or mites but 1) didn't see anything (how big are they?) and 2) they didnt really like me doing this! Not sure if theyre just being super clean as i have planted stuff where they were dust bathing (have given them more soil to do tis in their run- but with being at work when they're in it- not sure if they use it)

so main question is- do they groom lots or have i got lice?
Thanks

[RichmondHens]

They will groom (preen) lots anyway, and they will dustbathe whether they have lice or not - they enjoy it! They are also extra itchy at moulting time. However, if a bird seems to be bathing several times a day, every day, and often "itching" at the tail end, chances are it will have lice. A good clue is to watch them eat their end of day treat, and if they have to break off eating/competing for it to have an itch, then chances are they have lice. It's easiest to check them over at night, when they are on the roost. Go into henhouse after dark with powerful torch, grab a hen, upend it (holding legs firmly) and search to the skin through all feathers around vent, between legs under and around tail. The lice are amber coloured, about 2 mm and scuttle away from the light. Any eggs will be cemented to the feather shaft close to the skin. Treat with louse powder according to tub instructions and re-check/treat after 5 days to catch any lice emerging from eggs (most powders only kill the lice and not the eggs). Hope this helps.

[Flummery]

I love to see a bird preen itself. I always take it as a sign that the bird is well and happy. A sick bird doesn't bother to preen. They are probably just taking good care of their feathers. It's important to keep themselves in good nick. You can check at evening as Richmond Hens says, but they are probably just looking after themselves like good girls.

[Hungry Hannah]

Thanks,
It did look like just having a good preen as occasionally they'd just close thier eyes and enjoy the sun, I just had a bit of paranoia set in as they were all at it.
Thanks for putting my mind at rest

[Flummery]

Been there - had the paranoia. Still get occcasional bouts if I don't lie down often!