PeeWee's next battle - Lice

[Christina]

If it is not one thing then it is another.

 

Brought PeeWee in for weight (1.75) and measurements (8 inches) and found that he has lice, so do all the other babies. I am sure my does and buck do also. I cleaned the bedding out two nights ago and will do so again tonight. I am also giving Ivomec Pour-On per pound. Is there anything else I should do? Are my 3 and 4 day old kids too young? I am not milking the does yet so I should be safe for milking in two to three weeks.(?)

 

Also, how do I weigh the adult does and buck easily? Do I go off the average weight of ND’s or do I do the bath scale? I can tell you they are too heavy for me to hold and weigh.

 

I am kind of in a hurry to get this done since another foot of snow is coming tonight. Last week's 20 inches is not even gone yet.

PeeWee3.jpg

PeeWee2.jpg

[Melissa Johnson]

awesome - Camanna goats ^^ - both Julia Johnson and myself have Camanna goats ^^ - and many others here probably..... ^^ her does are awesome. (not to leave the bucks out of the compliments.....)

Kare at Chaverah Farm said:

Thanks so much for the very informative links!

The first day I dusted everyone from neck to tail and dusted all the areas where the goats congregate.  The second and third day I have dusted the babies only.  Today I very carefully included their head and lower neck as well.  No one else seems to have it.  The other three does sleep in the outside shelter.  The dam and two doelings sleep in the inside shelter.  I dusted both of them.

I might try to comb it out of them like one would do for people, but not until next week.  Tomorrow I am driving to pick up my new buckling and his companion wether. =)  I'm so excited!  You can see his picture on my website under Herd Sires.  http://ChaverahFarm.com

[Kare]

Thanks so much for the very informative links!

The first day I dusted everyone from neck to tail and dusted all the areas where the goats congregate.  The second and third day I have dusted the babies only.  Today I very carefully included their head and lower neck as well.  No one else seems to have it.  The other three does sleep in the outside shelter.  The dam and two doelings sleep in the inside shelter.  I dusted both of them.

I might try to comb it out of them like one would do for people, but not until next week.  Tomorrow I am driving to pick up my new buckling and his companion wether. =)  I'm so excited!  You can see his picture on my website under Herd Sires.  http://ChaverahFarm.com

[Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres]

This link explains the difference between biting and sucking lice, and it sounds like goat lice are VERY species specific. http://www.jackmauldin.com/controling_lice.htm

[Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres]

Have you dusted their bedding? I don't know about animal lice, but human lice can only transfer from head to head contact. I would assume treating goats is like treating people. If you don't treat the environment, you'll never get rid of them. Bedding dusting is a must, and since you're using DE and it won't hurt, I'd dust ALL your goats, not just the ones with lice.

 

Here's a link to HUMAN head lice information. http://www.headlice.org/faq/lousology.htm

and one to Goat Lice http://www.goatbiology.com/lice.html

[Kare]

I have very carefully and lightly redusted the doelings with DE three days in a row now.  There are still live lice on them.  I can't tell if there are less than there were 3 days ago. 

I rechecked my four adult does and can't find any on them.  Where did the lice come from if I've never had it here before and the other goats don't have it?  Could they hitch a ride with a person who is visiting?  We have had lots of visitors since the doelings were born...

Is there anything else natural that is recommended to kill the lice?  I really don't want to go the chemical route.  How long does it usually take to kill them?  I see eggs too, so I'm sure I'll have to do it again when they hatch. 

I'm going to go research online, but thought I would ask you all too.

[Melissa Johnson]

on the goat dont like humans?  that's good news!  LOL.

Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

Some goats do just like to scratch. Carmen, how is seven now, and her daughter Lizzie, who is six, both like to scratch their chest. They shove their chest to the ground and walk with their rear legs. It's hilarious to see. They've both been doing it forever, and it still makes me chuckle when I see it.

As for your itching, I can't say I've ever had that experience. You've probably seen on other threads that goat lice don't like humans.

Melissa Johnson said:

I'll have to look at mine!  they have been scratching - no other reason for that.  Then I came in the other night, and felt like things were biting me!!  I washed my clothes in hot water - once I ditched the clothes the itching stopped.....??

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

Some goats do just like to scratch. Carmen, how is seven now, and her daughter Lizzie, who is six, both like to scratch their chest. They shove their chest to the ground and walk with their rear legs. It's hilarious to see. They've both been doing it forever, and it still makes me chuckle when I see it.

As for your itching, I can't say I've ever had that experience. You've probably seen on other threads that goat lice don't like humans.

Melissa Johnson said:

I'll have to look at mine!  they have been scratching - no other reason for that.  Then I came in the other night, and felt like things were biting me!!  I washed my clothes in hot water - once I ditched the clothes the itching stopped.....??

[Melissa Johnson]

I'll have to look at mine!  they have been scratching - no other reason for that.  Then I came in the other night, and felt like things were biting me!!  I washed my clothes in hot water - once I ditched the clothes the itching stopped.....??

Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

Sounds like you did a thorough job. You just have to do it and see how it works. I've had very mixed luck with DE and lice, which is frustrating.

Kare at Chaverah Farm said:

I just found lice on my babies.  Eew!!!  i've never had it before!  I've been looking on the other goats, but couldn't see it, but I could see it on the kids.  I dusted everyone, and the barn and the shed, but I want to make sure I dusted them properly.  I took a large scoop with my hands and patted it down their back from neck to tail and then patted to make it fall down into the fur.  Then I put some more under their neck.  Could someone describe how you dust a goat with DE? 

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

Sounds like you did a thorough job. You just have to do it and see how it works. I've had very mixed luck with DE and lice, which is frustrating.

Kare at Chaverah Farm said:

I just found lice on my babies.  Eew!!!  i've never had it before!  I've been looking on the other goats, but couldn't see it, but I could see it on the kids.  I dusted everyone, and the barn and the shed, but I want to make sure I dusted them properly.  I took a large scoop with my hands and patted it down their back from neck to tail and then patted to make it fall down into the fur.  Then I put some more under their neck.  Could someone describe how you dust a goat with DE? 

[Kare]

I buy mine at Azure Standard.com   Here is the link. http://www.azurestandard.com/shop/product/4651/    I don't know if it is food grade, but there is info on that page.

 

Melissa Johnson said:

wonder if food would have to be bought online?  will have to investigate.  My day old kids are starting to scratch.  I havent noticed my does scratching, I did Ivermectin them few weeks ago, cause they were scratching.  I put the doe in their old house to kid and when they were in there - I was having to treat them for lice - I had cleaned it out of old bedding before I put the doe in there - but it is my understanding bout the only way to kill them is to burn whatever they're on.