balding polish rooster

[M_coosae]

So my blue white crested polish in my profile, is getting older now, and is developing a balding spot (yes his name is Einstein). I assume it's mites. But I have 2 problems, 1) it has rained so much here lately that my dust baths have been turned into mud baths, and 2) his head plumage is so substantial I don't think, even if we had dust he could get all the way up there. any topical or alternative recommendations to get my glorious bird's head feather's back???

 

[Abriana]

What you can do for a dust bath is use an old tire or build a wooden box, and place it inside the coop. Fill it with dirt, and if all you can find is mud, you can put it in a tarp and pull it into the basement or a deck to dry.
For the mites dust Diotemicious Earth (DE) over your bird. There are two ways to do it, the first Way is to simply dust it over the bird, and the second way is to put the DE in a bag and place the bird inside the bag holding the neck of the bag closed around the birds neck, supporting the feet, Gently bounce the bird to spread the DE all throughout the feathers. The second way is more effective and will get the DE throughout the feathers. Be gentle when you’re doing this And don’t squeeze too hard around the birds neck.
Always use a mask during The usage of DE if it gets into your lungs it can cut them up.
Good luck!

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

Are you positive that it is external parasites? Sometimes feather loss can be caused be deficiencies (which is more common in older birds). I would check his vent area, crest, hackles and under the wings for signs of parasites (if you haven't already) to be absolutely sure before treating him.

As for lice and mite treatment options, there are many out there on the market. However, a lot of them are toxic so I do not recommend many products. I prefer to use permethrin or pyrethrin because they are much safer than sevin dust and more effective than Diatomite (in my personal experience). Although I have heard of others getting better results, I tried diatomaceous earth on 3 of my birds that had lice and it did almost nothing to get rid of existing parasites... I did find that it was somewhat effective for prevention though.

To treat chickens with anti-insect dusts, I advise using nitrile/latex gloves. Gently rub dust around the crest, vent area, under the wings and on the saddle/hackle feathers. Make sure the dust gets to the feather shafts but be gentle while applicating dust (as to not break any feathers).

Hope your roo's feathers grow back soon!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would give your polish rooster a good dusting with a pyrethrin based poultry dust. The crest of polish can get infested with mites as they can't preen their heads. They can often get overwhelmed by external parasites, especially in winter.

Watch that he isn't being feather pecked in the crest which also happens a lot to polish. It can quickly turn to pecking especially if the skin can be seen. Spray any exposed skin with bluekote if possible to hide it.

 

[M_coosae]

I have some DE in house. will it work or do I need to go buy a pet grade chemical? FYI- I am pretty sure he is not being picked on. He is the top rooster in the run he is in....

 

[Granny Hatchet]

@Eggcessive

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have some DE in house. will it work or do I need to go buy a pet grade chemical? FYI- I am pretty sure he is not being picked on. He is the top rooster in the run he is in....

I don't use DE, I have read it doesn't actually work to rid birds of external parasites. You should have on hand a pyrethrin based poultry dust or spray to treat your birds as needed.

 

[M_coosae]

I had heard that too but wanted a second opinion. Thanks