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Severe Infestation! Not Lice! Need ID and Treatment Advice! (The Ivomec Worked!! No More Bugs!!)

post #1 of 16
Thread Starter 

I have aquired some new birds and discovered they have a very severe infestation of a strange parasite I've never seen before. It's not run of the mill lice and doesn't show the same things. I'm a very knowledgeable poultry breeder when it comes to these things and I'm stumped.

 

The bugs are about 1/10-1/5 the size of a poultry louse and are jet black or dark brown and shiny. They rresemble a spider mite, but aren't as those are only on plants. There are thousands of them and they scatter quickly when they are exposed to the light.

 

There is a buildup on the feathers, as with lice, but the buildup doesn't appear to be eggs. It is not stiff like louse eggs, but is a powdery substance that comes off on the hands. The powder is also full of these bugs. It is only on a few feathers, but it is there none the less.

 

The scabs caused by these aren't the same as louse scabs. They are harder and more difficult to pull off. Some ore blackish, which may be dried blood. The others are an amber color and have formed a crust on the skin.

 

On one cock and another hen there is a residue around the vent itself. This is black on top and is a gross green/tan color, like with infected sores. This residue stinks like rotten and infected skin, but doesn't appear to be a sore or scab. I'm not sure what to think of this, but boy does it smell and look uncomfortable. the birds also squirm when I touch it.

 

Also, I was responsible and the birds are in quarantine pens. I didn't check them prior to purchase since the breeder has a good reputation in my area and I just took forgranted they'd have checked and dusted the birds before they brought them to me.

 

Should I treat this like lice and treat it that wy? Or does somebody know what this is and can tell me how to treat it?

 

I'm thinking flea dip and bath. Then spray just to be sure after they dry.

 

2435_bugs2.jpg

 

 

Circled is one of the bugs in question. See how small they are and they're rounder in shape than lice!

 

2435_bugs1.jpg

 

This is the residue/buildup that is on the feathers. I's all the way up the feather and is powdery.

 

2435_bugs3.jpg

 

This is the vent on my cock. Looks the sme on the hen. I'm not sure what to think of it, but it smells horrible!


Edited by Sumatra503 - 5/19/12 at 9:47am

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post #2 of 16

maybe a type of mite?  I'm new to chickens so i'm not quite sure, but good luck!

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1 easter egger (skittles), 1 buff orphington (superman), 1 speckled sussex (boots), 1 california white (spiderman), 1 delaware (dora), 1 black sex link (batman), 1 rhode island red (flower)

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post #3 of 16

Hi Sumatra503,

 

I'm wondering if it's northern fowl mite (see here http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mites-chicken-pests-how-to-protect-your-chickens-from-mites).

 

Would be treated as for lice, I expect. Also dust the roost and coop.

 

Not sure about the vent issue but it looks as though they've been quite neglected. They might have been pecking themselves around the vent because of the mites, resulting in those wounds which are most likely infected.

 

So I would treat the mites first, then apply antiseptic to the vent area (and do it regularly). I couldn't say whether the birds need antibiotics; you could always see how they go after a few applications of antiseptic.

 

best of luck

Erica

http://www.permachicken.com Permaculture chicken blog: raising chickens with fewer industrial inputs.

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http://www.permachicken.com Permaculture chicken blog: raising chickens with fewer industrial inputs.

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post #4 of 16
Looks like feather mites on the feathers and possibly nothern fowl mites around the vent. A few drops of pour on ivermectin on the back of the neck outta take care of it, and clean the coop because unlike lice mites can live in the bedding
post #5 of 16
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the help. I googled northern fowl mites and that's what it looks like.

 

They also had feather mites, but the spray will treat it.

 

I gave them all bathes with a flea dip shampoo and soaked them for 5 minutes each in a diluted solution. I then let them dry and gave them a few squirts of frontline spray to help with the rest that weren't killed by the flea dip.

 

The two with the buildup that smells look like they may have the beginnings of a mild skin infection. Any tips for that? I put bag balm on the worst spots.

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post #6 of 16

Here's link to help you identify the parasites:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig140


     Most people have no clue...Forewarned is Forearmed

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     Most people have no clue...Forewarned is Forearmed

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post #7 of 16
Thread Starter 

Well, Yesterday I found bloody poop and the skin infection appears to be worsening.

 

I'm now treating them with Sulmet(for the cocci) and Metranidizole for the skin infection(100mg/galllon in the water). I'm also applying triple antibiotic ointment 3 times daily to the chickens with bad scabbing.

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post #8 of 16

Sounds like a good treatment plan.  Sorry you have had so much trouble!

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Home of the world's cutest dachshund, one crazy blue heeler, two cats,
              one fat pony, and many (but not too many!) chickens

              Can anyone tell me, how many are too many chickens?

 



My Chickens
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/1muttsfans-chickens
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post #9 of 16

Sounds like a M.A.S.H. unit, Boy when it rains it pours, but it sounds like your treatments will work.  Good luck fl.gif

post #10 of 16

I hope you contacted the seller to let him/her know what condition the birds were in.  He may be unaware of the full extent of the infestation!
 

Mom to 1 golden retriever, one cat who thinks he is a dog, 2 teenagers, 6 EE chickens, 1 BCM, ....and 2 gold sebright pullets and one BTW Japanese hen....
Full house!
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Mom to 1 golden retriever, one cat who thinks he is a dog, 2 teenagers, 6 EE chickens, 1 BCM, ....and 2 gold sebright pullets and one BTW Japanese hen....
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