Eww . . . what is this on her head?

[RamonaRay]

This is Cora, my gold-laced Wyandotte. She's 19 weeks old and I'd noticed over the past couple of days that she had "spots" on her head -- tonight I got a better look and was able to get a few shots on the phone. What is it? What do I do to rid her of it?

 

[Eggcessive]

It might be clumps of lice eggs, but I am not sure. Is there anything sticky, like pine resin that she could have rolled in? Do the feathers come out when you pull on them? Can you get a better picture? Look for lice crawling aound on the skin. Permethrin treats lice well, applied once every 10 days until they are gone. Usually 3 treatments can help. Here is some information about lice and mice and what to look for:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[RamonaRay]

It might be clumps of lice eggs, but I am not sure. Is there anything sticky, like pine resin that she could have rolled in? Do the feathers come out when you pull on them? Can you get a better picture? Look for lice crawling aound on the skin. Permethrin treats lice well, applied once every 10 days until they are gone. Usually 3 treatments can help. Here is some information about lice and mice and what to look for:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

No, nothing sticky -- almost looks like ticks embedded to me -- does that happen? I'm going to have to get ahold of her and examine. She's pretty skittish on a good day, so we'll see what fiasco that brings! ;-) Thank you -- I'll read the article now.

 

[Eggcessive]

Ticks can bite chickens, but they may cause a lot of bluish swelling. Some ticks can carry diseases as well. Stick tight fleas can be common on chickens in southern states. Here is a picture of them:

 

[Eggcessive]

Just a thought, but can you check for scabs from pecking that may cause clumps of feathers to come loose? They may be easily pulled out.

 

[RamonaRay]

Oh my gosh -- that looks awful! No -- not that. I went out to the coop and she actually let me pet / examine her! There's nothing there -- just felt soft and it smoothed out -- but then it kind of tufted up again once she moved around again. I bet you're right, maybe it's just feather mussing. That's what I originally thought when I saw it the other day. It just appeared like something underneath them tonight, until I just got a closer look. Will see what tomorrow brings. Thank you for helping!! Will post back with pics if it changes / worsens.

 

[Chickenlueny]

Could be sticktight fleas. You can use household pet flea spray or poultry safe insecticide. Petroleum jelly afterward will help smother them. They can have up to 8 month life cycles, treat chicken and cool every 10-14 days.

The chicken health handbook p138

 

[RamonaRay]

Could be sticktight fleas. You can use household pet flea spray or poultry safe insecticide. Petroleum jelly afterward will help smother them. They can have up to 8 month life cycles, treat chicken and cool every 10-14 days.

The chicken health handbook p138

Hey! Thank you! I appreciate any and all help. I'm still new to the nursing of chickens but I want to do the very best possible for them. Whatever it was has resolved on its own apparently but that's good information to stick in under my hat. Gracias!