Are these mites? And how should I get rid of them?

[MDieckmeyer]

Saw these little grey bugs on some feathers in the nesting box. Are these mites? How should I get rid of them? I’ll try and post the video I took too

 

[ChickyCh00k]

That definitely looks like mites. I would check around the vent of the bird(s), but that feather looks to be a pretty clear indicator. You will need to treat the entire flock. Most people recommend a permetherin product or Elector PSP if you can get it quickly.

Here's post from one of BYC's esteemed educators on treatment with permetherin:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/need-help-with-nothern-fowl-mites.1594778/post-27106401

And here is a more in depth article:

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[Noreaster Egger]

Get your hands on some Exzolt if you can. It wipes them right out for months.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Get your hands on some Exzolt if you can. It wipes them right out for months.

This product was approved for use in the U.S. in July of this year (I believe it has been used in the U.K and Australia for some time).

It may be difficult to find (I did a quick search and wasn't able to find a U.S. provider). May need an Rx from a vet. It's the same active ingredient that's used in flea and tick meds for dogs/cats (fluraner a.k.a. Bravecto) in the U.S (which does require an Rx).

I'm intrigued...

Edit: Upon further investigation, I found one online U.S. source that sells *repackaged* amounts of Exzolt (so they are buying a large bottle and then putting it into smaller bottles and shipping it).
Here's the link if you want to look further into it:
https://www.carnationsoapco.com/product-page/exzolt-fluralaner-mites-be-gone

The Chicken Chick also does this with Elector PSP.

 

[Noreaster Egger]

Yeah I saw the FDA approved it a few weeks ago. I got a small bottle from overseas a couple years ago. It’s a miracle treatment for mites. I don’t think there’s supposed to be any withdrawal time for eggs, but there was for meat birds. We withdraw a week of eggs anyway and then for a nother few days after that we cook them up and refeed them to the girls.

You just need to be sure that’s their only water source and that you only give them enough water that they finish by the end of the day.

You can find Aqusol for deworming in repackaged smaller bottles now too.