Chicken gone light, due to mites?

[Cluck 'n Quack]

Same gray chicken I shared about a couple of weeks ago. She's been in the hospital cage in the garage with a heat light for 2 weeks. Used DE for small amount of red mites around vent. No lice. DE in cage too. Hen Boost probiotics in water. Feeding a mix of all flock and layer crumbles. Treats of scratch and meal worms. Trimmed top beak. Eating, crop full at night. She's still feather-light. Comb slightly pink, still not healthy looking. Took her out today for a little sun, fresh air, and chicken company. Wandered around alone, no one bothered her. She went in the coop with everyone this evening and sat under the nest boxes, alone. Broke down tonight and treated everyone with Permethrin powder. She's back in the garage cage tonight. This has been going on for months. Does it take a LONG time for a chicken to regain their weight? I hope the Permethrin doesn't further weaken her. Still waiting for the turning point towards health for her.

 

[azygous]

If you've been trying to treat this chicken for a long spell with no results, there's a chance she is sick with something that can't be cured. This thread was also about a chicken that kept losing weight no matter what was done. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-a-true-mystery.1216012/page-12#post-19478968 You might find some similarities that you might find helpful.

 

[Cluck 'n Quack]

Thank you for the link to the article. Very interesting, but none of it sounds like my chicken. This all started at the end of Summer when I had a broody hen. We removed the eggs, and then they went through a molt. This one never seemed to recover. I think a big part of it was a too-long top beak. As soon as I trimmed it, she started eating well again. Her poo looks healthy. Her comb is pale to light pink, feathers unkept. Scrubbed her legs with warm, soapy water & slathered with Vaseline for scaly legs. She enjoyed her partial bath. Eyes looks fine. Seems content in her hospital cage. My daughter thinks she needs antidepressants It's been so long that I don't think it's a disease per se. . . or it would have done her in by now. None of my other chickens are affected. Still trying. . .

 

[nminusyplusm]

Just to clarify, you only just started Permethrin tonight? I've heard DE doesn't actually do anything so maybe the mites have been wearing her down all this time and keeping her underweight?

 

[Cluck 'n Quack]

Yes. Just treated for the first time tonight. I read that many didn't feel DE works to treat mites. That's why I decided to treat with Permethrin. She hasn't shown any signs of being irritated, and she didn't have that many mites compared to what I've read about with an "infestation". Skin looks good, no obvious bite marks. How many times do I have to treat with Permethrin? Such a mystery. I wish she could just TELL me what's wrong.

 

[nminusyplusm]

I don't have personal experience with mites but more knowledgable folks here do. I've read that they should be sprayed or dusted and then repeat 10 days later after eggs hatch:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...cases-on-feather-shafts.458901/#post-19471242
And here's a thread on Permethrin with a post on dilution of ounces per gallon:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/permethrin-spray.1134783/page-2#post-17569709

Hopefully she'll get some relief and you'll see them gone tomorrow as it acts fast. Please keep us posted on how she's feeling!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Was the mites discovered when she was in the coop with the rest or when she was in the hospital cage? If she has/had mites, the other may have too. You need to check everyone, the nest boxes, roost & coop.

I've read that the Permethrin Spray works fast & easy ... Spraying the coop, contents & birds at night when they're roosting. Respraying in 7 days (eggs hatching). If you're dusting, redust in 7 days ... Get her vent area, under the wings & underside. Treatment won't weaken her.

Since she had an issue with her beak/eating, have you tried wetting her feed? Maybe some (wet) dried cat food, tuna, scrambled eggs for extra protein. Not familiar with Hen Boost but Nutri Drench is vitamin/electrolytes.

 

[Cluck 'n Quack]

Was the mites discovered when she was in the coop with the rest or when she was in the hospital cage? If she has/had mites, the other may have too. You need to check everyone, the nest boxes, roost & coop.

I've read that the Permethrin Spray works fast & easy ... Spraying the coop, contents & birds at night when they're roosting. Respraying in 7 days (eggs hatching). If you're dusting, redust in 7 days ... Get her vent area, under the wings & underside. Treatment won't weaken her.

Since she had an issue with her beak/eating, have you tried wetting her feed? Maybe some (wet) dried cat food, tuna, scrambled eggs for extra protein. Not familiar with Hen Boost but Nutri Drench is vitamin/electrolytes.

 

[Cluck 'n Quack]

ChickNanny13, thanks for the reassurance regarding Permethrin. I discovered the mites while she was caged & rubbed her down with DE and sprinkled it in the bedding. Started her on the probiotic and extra treats. Coop was cleaned out, and I made an indoor dust bath with sand, and DE (I live in Oregon & there's no dry ground outside for dust baths right now). That was a week ago. Everybody got a full-body massage tonight with Permethrin powder. New perches going in tomorrow. I've offered her warm oatmeal & scrambled egg. She turns her beak up at it. I'll try tuna & also soaking her food. She gobbles up the meal worms though!

 

[nminusyplusm]

Keep giving her mealworms, whatever her favorites might be, and as ChickNanny13 suggested wet cat food is a great idea. Mine go insane over it.