There are several different species of lice that will infect chickens--all of which are chewing or biting lice as opposed to blood sucking lice. The appearance of the different lice species are similar, and they are detected on the chicken's body in the same way. The difference between the louse species are generally in where on the chicken's body they will take up residence. Lice can be detected by direct examination of the chicken's body.
Instructions
1. Lay sheets of white paper down to cover an area of the ground about two feet by two feet.
2. Hold a chicken over the paper.
3. Spread the chicken's feathers apart so you can see the skin and where the feather shafts meet the skin on the chicken's vent area.
4. Look for small, yellowish brown insects from 1/25-inch to 1/4-inch long on the skin at the base of the feathers. Use a magnifying glass if needed to see the small insects.
5. Inspect the shaft of the feathers for small, white nits (lice eggs) either singly or in clusters.
6. Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 on the chicken's breasts, and then repeat again on the chicken's thighs.
7. Inspect the paper once the examination of the chicken is complete for lice that may have fallen off.
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