Clumps under the lower beak. Not sure what it is

[ScarletN]

So I have a silkie rooster who has these clumps of feathers that are held together with something and I am not sure what it is. I also found it on one of my silkie hens now. I don't know what to do. Does anyone know what it is?

 

[WIchickMama]

Lice infestation would be my guess.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So I have a silkie rooster who has these clumps of feathers that are held together with something and I am not sure what it is. I also found it on one of my silkie hens now. I don't know what to do. Does anyone know what it is?

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Look like lice nits..

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/#:~:text=Some of the common signs,, ragged-looking feathers, crawling

If you;re in the US, Permethin based treatment is safe and effective for birds , perimeters, layboxes, etc... treat everyone, and follow up in 10 days.

The eggs themselves may not go away once treatment is complete even if effective until the "glue" wears out, they are molted out, or manually removed.

 

[ScarletN]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Look like lice nits..

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/#:~:text=Some of the common signs,, ragged-looking feathers, crawling

If you;re in the US, Permethin based treatment is safe and effective for birds , perimeters, layboxes, etc... treat everyone, and follow up in 10 days.

The eggs themselves may not go away once treatment is complete even if effective until the "glue" wears out, they are molted out, or manually removed.

So I was looking at that and there is no movement anywhere or lice to be seen. Also, everything I looked up said that it happens near the vent and this is at the head.

 

[Eggcessive]

Those are definitely lice eggs. All of your chickens probably have them. Some lice are near the under belly, while another thpe are around the head and under wings. Part the feathers to look for tiny fast moving tan colored insects with 6 legs. Permethrin dust or the horse spray is available at most feed stores. Permethrin 10 concentrate can be mixed with water. The dust is better for cold weather. Treatment should be twice at 10 day intervals to get the newly hatched eggs before they reproduce. The bedding should all be removed from coop and nests, and the roost, nests, and coop should be sprayed. Replace with new bedding. Here are some pictures:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[ScarletN]

Those are definitely lice eggs. All of your chickens probably have them. Some lice are near the under belly, while another thpe are around the head and under wings. Part the feathers to look for tiny fast moving tan colored insects with 6 legs. Permethrin dust or the horse spray is available at most feed stores. Permethrin 10 concentrate can be mixed with water. The dust is better for cold weather. Treatment should be twice at 10 day intervals to get the newly hatched eggs before they reproduce. The bedding should all be removed from coop and nests, and the roost, nests, and coop should be sprayed. Replace with new bedding. Here are some pictures:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

Should I pluck the feathers with these clumps on them?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Should I pluck the feathers with these clumps on them?

Using an effective treatment is the preferred method.

You can pluck feathers.. they may or may not grow back in until molt.. and it seems like it would be painful to me. Plucking won't do anything to treat the parasite that laid the eggs.

So I was looking at that and there is no movement anywhere or lice to be seen. Also, everything I looked up said that it happens near the vent and this is at the head.

Don't believe everything you read.. what's common or uncommon (especially for commercial flocks) has no bearing on reality and back yard flocks, The first thing I learned wasn't true was that I don't have to feed "medicated feed" or my chicks will die! I also don't feed layer feed EVER since learning that is a bare minimum nutrient requirement to maximize profits in light bodied layer breeds but not to maximize longevity, keep immunity up, etc. Also the excess calcium in layer feed can be harmful long term to birds not in lay like roosters. Instead I use a higher protein (and amino acid) feed with oyster shell or other calcium source available free choice on the side. Since I started paying attention to what's more right and/or correct for back yard pet flocks verses what they do for commercial.. so please clear your mind from what should be and understand what IS. This is meant helpfully and respectfully!

So a couple other quick examples of things unexpected but still true.. some cockerels/roosters sing the egg song when startled or along with the ladies, some hens grow spurs, some hens even crow. Some roosters go broody and sit on eggs or help the hen to hatch them. Some hens mount/mate other hens out of dominance. The list goes on and on.. but with illness, or parasite type stuff you can't expect every symptom to be present or in line with what was read and may vary by individual.. as foraging, dust bathing, preening habits, are all different in addition to having different immune systems. Hope that helps it make sense some! Again I recommend treat everyone, and the environment and repeat.. Here, I can usually break the life cycle and have it dealt with.. only needing treatment again if it comes back.. which *sometimes* it does seasonally with wildlife load. I have gone many years without the need to treat, but do check every month or two.. Here in the PNW parasite season is all year but winter is high season for lice.

There are different types of poultry lice and they don't all travel to the same area.. some will stay on the head while others may be body or feather lice.. But Silkies notoriously CAN get them in their beard.. it's not a place they can easily preen. You don't need to see lice movement when you can see the clear evidence they are there. They can be very hard to see.. sometimes (often) easier seen after dark using a flashlight (or headlamp) and look for things running from the light when you part the feathers. The difference is night and day.

https://www.hobbyfarms.com/7-facts-need-know-poultry-lice/

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/ectoparasites/lice-of-poultry

https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/15670.pdf

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/lice

 

[Eggcessive]

The clumps or eggs may disappear after the next permethrin treatment. Lice hatch every 10 days, so giving a treatment or dusting/spraying 2 or 3 times will get the newly hatched eggs before they can reproduce.