broken feathers, mites *if you are experiencing this, PLEASE READ*

[LeslieDJoyce]

You almost make that look fun!

 

[canyoncito]

Truth be told, my 12 year-old was getting paid to help me as we have 16 birds to chase down and dip. Next time I will put the buckets up at waist level; easier on the back. I have a video, too, but I don't know how to upload it. I think you get the idea with the photos

 

[Sunflowergirl]

Great job of showing how to do the dipping with the photos!
One question: Do you ever dunk their heads under the sulfur water solution?

 

[canyoncito]

No, I don't dunk their heads. The mites are pretty concentrated on the back end of the bird.

 

[portugeeaggie]

I think I'm having this problem as well, but it's only the white hens tail feathers that are being eaten, I'll post a picture. I have helped do wild bird rescue (not at home!) and I know there's a certain bug that only eats the white of feathers, I'm waiting on a reply from a colleague to see if it's the same mite that's mentioned here. Thank you for all the advise on how to treat! My poor girls some have these bugs and avian pox right now

 

[portugeeaggie]

 

[uzisuzuki]

This is exactly what is happening with my Sebright. That's exactly how his tail feathers have been looking. However, it finally has started to happen to my darker Polish also. I've just done my second week of this lime sulfur dip on all of them. I feel so bad for my little Sebright. He looks so ratty & tattered. I feel like I'm a crap owner because I hadn't been able to stop his feathers from getting in such bad shape.

I would be interested to hear what your colleague has to say, if you wouldn't mind sharing it here, please. Can't have too much information about what we could be dealing with.

 

[portugeeaggie]

I just finished speaking with him, he said the bugs that only attack white feathers are feather lice. I'm going to take another really good look at my girls tomorrow but I'm pretty sure it's just the white ones with this issue. He said they treat their owl and hawk with sevin dust just be very careful not to get it in eyes, nostrils or vent. Just rub it in and dust off excess. I hope this helps! I feel like a bad chicken mama too

 

[dawg53]

Sevin dust will immediately take care of lice. Birds will shake themselves off after you dust them. Redust again in 10 days. Dust the inside of the coop, nests roosts as well.

 

[tierfontein]

Thanks so much for this info and the dipping pics, really helpful. I thought I just had a problem with too much preening or a rooster being a bit rough, until the hen with the bald patch really got bald ( most of the feathers on her back gone and on the sides of the patch, feathers broken off) Going to start with olive oil until I can get some sulphur. I have only ever seen it in powder form here, perhaps i can make a paste or also just dip her. Thanks again.