Having trouble identifying external parasite

[Amina]

Last night I was looking through my girls' feathers, and there were little bugs but I don't know what they were. They were a little shorter than flea length and much skinnier. They were black, and were fairly quick movers on the feathers, but I didn't see any crawling on the skin. In case it matters, I was looking at the base of the hens' necks. Does anyone have a guess about what they are?

 

[dawg53]

Last night I was looking through my girls' feathers, and there were little bugs but I don't know what they were. They were a little shorter than flea length and much skinnier. They were black, and were fairly quick movers on the feathers, but I didn't see any crawling on the skin. In case it matters, I was looking at the base of the hens' necks. Does anyone have a guess about what they are?

http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

 

[Amina]

Well the reason I'm confused is because it doesn't match up super well to either one. Whatever it was, was elongated (like lice) but black (like mites), fast moving (like lice), and along the feather shaft (like mites). Should I try more to figure out what it is, or just treat?

 

[dawg53]

Treat.

 

[tec27]

Its probably lites. Haha. just treat and you should be good.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Don't forget to retreat every 7 days until they are gone or they will be back! Also treat your coop and throw out shavings in nest boxes and coop. This makes a huge difference!

 

[Peach Mom]

This sounds like what I just found on my sick hen. I can not find them anywhere. What did you treat with and were you successful? Thanks!