do feather mites bite chickens

[AceSierra]

my chicken has feather mites and I know that they can move to humans and bite them when you treat the bird so inwas wondering do feather mites bite the birds like they bite humans. there very annoying and make you very itchy so I was just wondering that's the way the bird feels too. also is permethrin 2 from the pet store effective against feather mites

 

[Wyorp Rock]

my chicken has feather mites and I know that they can move to humans and bite them when you treat the bird so inwas wondering do feather mites bite the birds like they bite humans. there very annoying and make you very itchy so I was just wondering that's the way the bird feels too. also is permethrin 2 from the pet store effective against feather mites

As mentioned in one of your other threads, Permethrin II will not treat Feather Mites (Depluming Mites). You need to use Ivermectin to treat them.
Are you sure you have Feather Mites?

Go to Tractor Supply and get some Ivermectin Pour On and some small 1ml syringes.
Treat affected birds with the Ivermectin by applying the liquid to the base of the neck along the spine, it must come in contact with the skin. Dosage for Ivermectin Pour On is 0.09ml per pound of weight. Repeat treatment in 14 days.

Keep in mind that Ivermectin is not approved for use in poultry, so do some research on how long egg/meat withdrawals may be.

https://poultrykeeper.com/external-problems/depluming-mites/
https://chickenwired.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/parasites-of-poultry/

 

[AceSierra]

As mentioned in one of your other threads, Permethrin II will not treat Feather Mites (Depluming Mites). You need to use Ivermectin to treat them.
Are you sure you have Feather Mites?

Go to Tractor Supply and get some Ivermectin Pour On and some small 1ml syringes.
Treat affected birds with the Ivermectin by applying the liquid to the base of the neck along the spine, it must come in contact with the skin. Dosage for Ivermectin Pour On is 0.09ml per pound of weight. Repeat treatment in 14 days.

Keep in mind that Ivermectin is not approved for use in poultry, so do some research on how long egg/meat withdrawals may be.

https://poultrykeeper.com/external-problems/depluming-mites/
https://chickenwired.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/parasites-of-poultry/


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wow your really helpful how often should I do this like in a year. Should it be yearly monthly. no wonder they havent been looking any better lol. and what about for a chick. it's a small 15 day old silkie

 

[Wyorp Rock]

wow your really helpful how often should I do this like in a year. Should it be yearly monthly. no wonder they havent been looking any better lol. and what about for a chick. it's a small 15 day old silkie

Do you see evidence of feather mites on the silky? 15 days old is quite young to treat with Ivermectin, imho, but if you are very sure that she has them too, then treating her to get rid of the mites would be good.
A vet should be able to examine the feather quills under a microscope to see if mites are present so that's another thought you should consider.

Some folks have good success ridding their birds of the mites after treatment, but some have found that the mites are persistent so retreating quarterly or twice a year may be needed.

While feather mites do live on the bird under the quills, they are like most parasites and can migrate from bird to bird so treating housing (Use your Permethrin II) for that would be good. Make sure you treat roosting bars, cracks/crevices, nesting boxes, etc. Take out bedding and replace it.

 

[AceSierra]

Do you see evidence of feather mites on the silky? 15 days old is quite young to treat with Ivermectin, imho, but if you are very sure that she has them too, then treating her to get rid of the mites would be good.
A vet should be able to examine the feather quills under a microscope to see if mites are present so that's another thought you should consider.

Some folks have good success ridding their birds of the mites after treatment, but some have found that the mites are persistent so retreating quarterly or twice a year may be needed.

While feather mites do live on the bird under the quills, they are like most parasites and can migrate from bird to bird so treating housing (Use your Permethrin II) for that would be good. Make sure you treat roosting bars, cracks/crevices, nesting boxes, etc. Take out bedding and replace it.

so it is effective for treating the outside for feather mites?
and yeah I'm positive that the baby has them because she was shaking her head alot and I took her to the vet and they said she had feather mites I'm not sure about my dermatologist one but I should probably treat them both but is it safe for the baby. also could I take her to tracktor and supplies to weigh her

 

[Wyorp Rock]

so it is effective for treating the outside for feather mites?
and yeah I'm positive that the baby has them because she was shaking her head alot and I took her to the vet and they said she had feather mites I'm not sure about my dermatologist one but I should probably treat them both but is it safe for the baby. also could I take her to tracktor and supplies to weigh her

If the mites are in the housing, then they are not living under the feather quills, so yes, treating the housing would be good.

The problem with using Permethrin topically on a bird that has mites living in the feather shaft/under the skin - it is not absorbed. You have to have something systemic like Ivermectin (absorbed into the bloodstream targeting the food that the mites feed on).

The vet examined the Silkie? Did they say she's got feather mites or poultry mites? What does her feathers look like?

Silkies can have neurological issues- shaking the head could be from a number of things from mites to having feathers in the eyes. Look in her ears to make sure they are free of debris, keep the feathers out from her eyes and give her poultry vitamins that contain E and B1. (like Poultry Cell or Poultry Nutri-Drench)

Getting a food scale so you can weigh your chick would be better. I don't think Tractor Supply has the means or the want to to weigh your chick. It's best she stays home in the coop/run or brooder.

 

[AceSierra]

If the mites are in the housing, then they are not living under the feather quills, so yes, treating the housing would be good.

The problem with using Permethrin topically on a bird that has mites living in the feather shaft/under the skin - it is not absorbed. You have to have something systemic like Ivermectin (absorbed into the bloodstream targeting the food that the mites feed on).

The vet examined the Silkie? Did they say she's got feather mites or poultry mites? What does her feathers look like?

Silkies can have neurological issues- shaking the head could be from a number of things from mites to having feathers in the eyes. Look in her ears to make sure they are free of debris, keep the feathers out from her eyes and give her poultry vitamins that contain E and B1. (like Poultry Cell or Poultry Nutri-Drench)

Getting a food scale so you can weigh your chick would be better. I don't think Tractor Supply has the means or the want to to weigh your chick. It's best she stays home in the coop/run or brooder.

well they stay inside lol but yeah I'll spray down the outside cool
I used permectrin 2 and I didnt see much help so I think ivermetcin would be helpful is it toxic or dangerous for them and if the chick is under a pound how much do I give her. and yea I asked specifically what kind of mites they were and he said they were feather mites the chick gets apple cider vinegar and vitamins and probiotics lol where could I get a food scale.

 

[AceSierra]

If the mites are in the housing, then they are not living under the feather quills, so yes, treating the housing would be good.

The problem with using Permethrin topically on a bird that has mites living in the feather shaft/under the skin - it is not absorbed. You have to have something systemic like Ivermectin (absorbed into the bloodstream targeting the food that the mites feed on).

The vet examined the Silkie? Did they say she's got feather mites or poultry mites? What does her feathers look like?

Silkies can have neurological issues- shaking the head could be from a number of things from mites to having feathers in the eyes. Look in her ears to make sure they are free of debris, keep the feathers out from her eyes and give her poultry vitamins that contain E and B1. (like Poultry Cell or Poultry Nutri-Drench)

Getting a food scale so you can weigh your chick would be better. I don't think Tractor Supply has the means or the want to to weigh your chick. It's best she stays home in the coop/run or brooder.

and do I put it on the skin or the feathers

 

[AceSierra]

If the mites are in the housing, then they are not living under the feather quills, so yes, treating the housing would be good.

The problem with using Permethrin topically on a bird that has mites living in the feather shaft/under the skin - it is not absorbed. You have to have something systemic like Ivermectin (absorbed into the bloodstream targeting the food that the mites feed on).

The vet examined the Silkie? Did they say she's got feather mites or poultry mites? What does her feathers look like?

Silkies can have neurological issues- shaking the head could be from a number of things from mites to having feathers in the eyes. Look in her ears to make sure they are free of debris, keep the feathers out from her eyes and give her poultry vitamins that contain E and B1. (like Poultry Cell or Poultry Nutri-Drench)

Getting a food scale so you can weigh your chick would be better. I don't think Tractor Supply has the means or the want to to weigh your chick. It's best she stays home in the coop/run or brooder.

is ivermetcin safe I looked up symptoms and one is sudden death a little worried since it's off label use

 

[Wyorp Rock]

well they stay inside lol but yeah I'll spray down the outside cool
I used permectrin 2 and I didnt see much help so I think ivermetcin would be helpful is it toxic or dangerous for them and if the chick is under a pound how much do I give her. and yea I asked specifically what kind of mites they were and he said they were feather mites the chick gets apple cider vinegar and vitamins and probiotics lol where could I get a food scale.

and do I put it on the skin or the feathers

is ivermetcin safe I looked up symptoms and one is sudden death a little worried since it's off label use

Wonder how they got Depluming/Feather Mites if they live inside.

You will have to do some research and consult your vet to determine whether you feel the Ivermectin is safe to use/the right product for you. We are not vets here on BYC, just keepers like you that make suggestions and/or give opinion.
If your vet said they were Feather Mites, then it looks like they would have directed you to the correct product or treatment.

As mentioned in the previous post - Ivermectin needs to be applied to the skin, putting it on the feathers is not going to do anything.

You can find food scales at WalMart or similar stores.

Do you have a parent, friend, neighbor or family member that can help you with all this?

Treat affected birds with the Ivermectin by applying the liquid to the base of the neck along the spine, it must come in contact with the skin. Dosage for Ivermectin Pour On is 0.09ml per pound of weight. Repeat treatment in 14 days.