Flies/Mites?

[GeneralSV]

So I have just begun raising pigeons and it has been a year, everything was going fine, but yesterday I had a pigeon suddenly die, for a while it was staggering and looked weak so I took it in but I noticed little bugs on it, they looked like flies, and I didn't know what to do or what they were, but when I went to check on it again it was dead, it was a bit sad because I had hand raided it when it was a couple of weeks old. Does anybody know what to do if this happens again, and what those flies are?

 

[cavemanrich]

Do your other pigeons also have that infestation??? I never had an infestation of mites or fleas. I'm also not very sure that it was the cause of death for your pigeon.
Can you capture one of those onto a piece of clear scotch tape, and post a picture of it. You may need to use a magnifying lens to enlarge to take pix.
I will tag some knowledgeable pigeon folks that may help with answer.
@biophiliac , @CCUK , @backyard pigeons , @WVduckchick , @Pyxis
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[ChickNanny13]

Where are you located? There's a thread going on about "gnats" killing chickens, alot of chickens. IF you can get a picture of the critter, that would help. Also if you can catch a few in a jar, take it to your Dept of Ag to identify.

 

[CCUK]

So I have just begun raising pigeons and it has been a year, everything was going fine, but yesterday I had a pigeon suddenly die, for a while it was staggering and looked weak so I took it in but I noticed little bugs on it, they looked like flies, and I didn't know what to do or what they were, but when I went to check on it again it was dead, it was a bit sad because I had hand raided it when it was a couple of weeks old. Does anybody know what to do if this happens again, and what those flies are?

I'm sorry that you have lost this pigeon, especially as you have hand raised it. Fortunately I have not had a problem with lice or mites on my pigeons. I noticed you said it looked like a fly. I have seen these on a dead pigeon some time before I got pigeons so I have just had a look about them and found this.
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/CREATURES/livestock/pigeon_fly.htm
It seems that these are very capable of killing young pigeons. What I would do know is treat your whole loft with a mite treatment such as a permethrin based spray paying particular attention to the nooks and crannies and underside of the perches and ledges. You can treat the rest of your pigeons individually with ivermectin or harkamectin drops to the back of the neck and you can also drench them individually in a bucket with a mite and lice treatment. Also Harkers have a line of mite and lice treatment that can be added directly to the drinking water. You need to act swiftly, especially as this has resulted in the death of one or your birds.
Here is the full range of harkers products. Although this is in UK they are also available outside of UK. https://www.harkersonline.co.uk/product/treatments/harkamectin-parasites/

 

[biophiliac]

Where are you located? There's a thread going on about "gnats" killing chickens, alot of chickens. IF you can get a picture of the critter, that would help. Also if you can catch a few in a jar, take it to your Dept of Ag to identify.

X2 Location does matter in identifying the type of critter. @ChickNanny13 can you post a link to the killer gnat thread?

I'm sorry that you have lost this pigeon, especially as you have hand raised it. Fortunately I have not had a problem with lice or mites on my pigeons. I noticed you said it looked like a fly. I have seen these on a dead pigeon some time before I got pigeons so I have just had a look about them and found this.
http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/CREATURES/livestock/pigeon_fly.htm
It seems that these are very capable of killing young pigeons. What I would do know is treat your whole loft with a mite treatment such as a permethrin based spray paying particular attention to the nooks and crannies and underside of the perches and ledges. You can treat the rest of your pigeons individually with ivermectin or harkamectin drops to the back of the neck and you can also drench them individually in a bucket with a mite and lice treatment. Also Harkers have a line of mite and lice treatment that can be added directly to the drinking water. You need to act swiftly, especially as this has resulted in the death of one or your birds.
Here is the full range of harkers products. Although this is in UK they are also available outside of UK. https://www.harkersonline.co.uk/product/treatments/harkamectin-parasites/

Very informative link on the pigeon fly, ... don't like to be negative but... what a horrible creature! I was relieved to read that its range does NOT extend to areas with bitter cold winters like mine. That's probably why I haven't had any issues with it.

Edit added Are you in the FL/Southeast US?

 

[backyard pigeons]

It is very unlikely that the mites\flies caused death. I recently had a bird with mites and I soaked it several times in warm water with 20 mule team borax. It worked really well. Just totally soak them in a 5 gallon bucket.

I'm sorry you lost a bird, it's never easy. We would all love to see some pictures of your birds. here is a link to a thread where most of the pigeon fanciers on here talk. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pigeon-talk.1276029/

 

[biophiliac]

It is very unlikely that the mites\flies caused death. I recently had a bird with mites and I soaked it several times in warm water with 20 mule team borax. It worked really well. Just totally soak them in a 5 gallon bucket.

I'm sorry you lost a bird, it's never easy. We would all love to see some pictures of your birds. here is a link to a thread where most of the pigeon fanciers on here talk. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/pigeon-talk.1276029/

I think these are different from the mites we have farther north See post #4 by @CCUK

 

[backyard pigeons]

I think these are different from the mites we have farther north See post #4 by @CCUK

I must have skimed over it to quickly.

I see now though.

 

[ChickNanny13]

X2 Location does matter in identifying the type of critter. @ChickNanny13 can you post a link to the killer gnat thread?


https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/i-need-help-the-gnats-are-killing-my-birds.1315946/


Very informative link on the pigeon fly, ... don't like to be negative but... what a horrible creature! I was relieved to read that its range does NOT extend to areas with bitter cold winters like mine. That's probably why I haven't had any issues with it.

Edit added Are you in the FL/Southeast US?

Recently learned how to add links, thank you @aart

 

[LaughingDove]

My first two doves had mite holes in their wings when I bought them. I treated them right away and they were fine and I have not had a problem since. I have not heard of this fly.