Can you help me identify this infestation?

[LaRoo]

This is a first for me. My hen has crusty skin that just pulls loose. She is miserable and plucking out feathers. I do not know if this is a mite of some sort or lice. Amazingly Ive never had an issue until now. The picture is of the hens back and in the baggie are the pieces i picked off. There are tiny bugs all over in the bag which means they are living on the hen. HELP?? How do I help her, and the rest Im sure!

 

[CCsGarden]

Check her for mites. Are the others pecking her? Keep her away from the others and keep her hydrated and fed.

Not sure how to help you further..... Hopefully someone can help soon.

 

[LaRoo]

Check her for mites. Are the others pecking her? Keep her away from the others and keep her hydrated and fed.

Not sure how to help you further..... Hopefully someone can help soon.

No the others arent pecking at her, she is trying to pull everything out though. The bugs are so small its hard to see. I didnt notice them until I brought the bag in and placed it on a paper towel. Those dust spots started moving :/

 

[Debbie292d]

I would get some permethrin/garden dust. You can put some in a sock and pat your chickens down with it, especially under their wings and their butt area.

Then sprinkle it in the coop and nest boxes. It should only be a matter of hours they'll be dead. Repeat this in a week though as it doesn't kill any eggs they laid.

 

[LaRoo]

I would get some permethrin/garden dust. You can put some in a sock and pat your chickens down with it, especially under their wings and their butt area.

Then sprinkle it in the coop and nest boxes. It should only be a matter of hours they'll be dead. Repeat this in a week though as it doesn't kill any eggs they laid.

Debbie292d, Does this kill mites as well as lice? Thank you for the advice. I looked for a poultry vet, even looked for an online one, we are all we have here at BYC!

 

[lintlicker]

it sounds like shes referring to diatomaceous earth, a good rinsing of that should help. Do you have an area outside that they are able to dust bathe? Putting some DE in that area would help as well if you do

 

[Eggcessive]

Skip the DE. Debbie is recommending permethrin garden dust, under the names Prozap or Gardstar at most Tractor Supply stores. DE can cause eye and respiratory irritation. It sounds like a mite infestation.Mites hatch every 5-7 days, so treat them at least twice at 7 days intervals. Then remove all bedding from coop, nest boxes, and treat roosts. There is a Martins or Gordons permethrin 10 concentrate that mixes with water 5ml per quart, or 20 ml per gallon in a garden sprayer or spray bottle that can be used to treat the coop, or in warm weather use on the chicken. Elector PSP is a third type of treatment that can be used on chickens.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are some good links to read about lice and mites and chickens:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

https://poultryhealthinspection.ucd...les/Lice & Mites of Poultry - McCrea 8162.pdf

 

[Debbie292d]

it sounds like shes referring to diatomaceous earth, a good rinsing of that should help. Do you have an area outside that they are able to dust bathe? Putting some DE in that area would help as well if you do

No, I'm not referring to diatomaceous earth (DE). Like I said, "permethrin/garden" powder.

That said, I do use DE as a preventative, but would never use it nor recommend it for someone who has an outbreak of mites or lice. I also do not recommend anyone powder their chickens with it, like I do with the permethrin powder. I simply kick the chickens out, don a face mask, and sprinkle it around my coops monthly.

 

[Debbie292d]

Debbie292d, Does this kill mites as well as lice? Thank you for the advice. I looked for a poultry vet, even looked for an online one, we are all we have here at BYC!

You're very welcome! Yes, permethrin powder kills lice too, but same as mites, you have to repeat the dosage a week later as there'll be eggs it couldn't kill, and they'll hatch and round two will begin.