Aussie Finch Forum

Hi Everyone,

I've noticed my Plumheads and Gouldians scratching themselves a lot more and fluttering really rapidly lately, I was concerned it was bird lice, so I bought some Avitrol Mite and Lice spray which I will use on the birds and their aviary tomorrow morning. In the meantime, I'm just wondering what the outcome of lice is on the bird, is it just annoying for them or can it harm/kill them?

Thanks,
Aidan

In severe cases it certainly does, and severe cases are always pretty obvious and I'm sure you would be able to take care of that
I use a product called Avimec, which I apply 1 1/2 drops to a bare patch of skin and it works like a treat

Do you have an open roof? Can/do wild doves land on it? These guys have been known to drop feather lice into avairies, and feather lice are very iritating to the birds. They are also one of the biggest and easiest lice to see. Catch a bird or two, preferably the ones who seem most "itchy" and look amongst their feathers.
LML

Ahh, yes, I do have an open roofed aviary and indeed a flock of Spotted Turtle Doves who live around (and sometimes on) the aviary. That explains it.

When you caught the birds, what did you find?
LML

Well, we found no visual signs of mites or lice, but after treating them with Vetafarm Avimec, the itching stopped and it all went back to normal for the birds.

So it was not the big feather lice that doves can drop. Because even someone with poor eyesight can see them. At least it made the finches happier.
LML

Good news Aidan, as usual Avimec always does the job