Ashy Coloring, Mites, and Weight loss on Hen

[kaitybird]

I have a 9mo old Buff Brahma that has mites all over her. I’ve given her dust baths and ash baths, but the bugs keep coming back, and she is loosing a concerning amount of weight. In the last day her wattle, comb and ear lobes have all turned ash grey and her overall coloring is sickly. I’ve got an emergency appointment scheduled, but don’t know if she’ll make it that long. I’m pulling at straws on what to do and would love recommendations from you.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Have you treated with permethrin? I had a hen in a similar state. A couple of treatments and she's set to rights.

Your girl is probably quite anemic. She needs protein and maybe vitamins.

 

[kaitybird]

Have you treated with permethrin? I had a hen in a similar state. A couple of treatments and she's set to rights.

Your girl is probably quite anemic. She needs protein and maybe vitamins.

Is it safe to spray the permethrin directly on her? Or just around the coop?
And what specific vitamins would you recommend?

 

[Aunt Angus]

You can spray it directly on them. You will also need to clean the coop out and spray it, too. You should spray the run. There us also permethrin dust. Just be careful if you gave cats. Permetherin = toxic to cats

You can just feed a generic multivitamin supplement, but cooked eggs would be good for the protein.

 

[kaitybird]

You can spray it directly on them. You will also need to clean the coop out and spray it, too. You should spray the run. There us also permethrin dust. Just be careful if you gave cats. Permetherin = toxic to cats

You can just feed a generic multivitamin supplement, but cooked eggs would be good for the protein.

Thank you so much! And we don’t have cats, but we do have a dog, would that be an issue?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thank you so much! And we don’t have cats, but we do have a dog, would that be an issue?

No. Permethrin is safe for dogs.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thank you so much! And we don’t have cats, but we do have a dog, would that be an issue?

Just be sure to carefully follow the directions on whichever product you get.

 

[kaitybird]

Just be sure to carefully follow the directions on whichever product you get.

Thanks! And do you think I should still bring her to the vet? Or that her issues can be resolved with “at home” solutions? The vets in San Diego are rather pricey and if this will solve the issues she’s dealing with I’d love to cancel the appointment.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Thanks! And do you think I should still bring her to the vet? Or that her issues can be resolved with “at home” solutions? The vets in San Diego are rather pricey and if this will solve the issues she’s dealing with I’d love to cancel the appointment.

If you can afford a vet, I would do it. If not, try the permethrin. You're going to have to do that anyway, most likely, if she's got parasites. I think you'll find that most people on BYC don't do vets because they are expensive or nowhere to be found.