Help. How do I know if my chickens have lice or mites?

[mariam]

My chickens are about 2 years old and recently 2 out of 16 have started loosing feathers off the butt area and their feathers overall look poor. I have looked for the actual mite or lice but I don't see anything. However, I'm not sure what to look for. Does anyone have any advice about what to look or what might be causing this? They molted over the fall/winter. I was going to take a stool sample in to be analyzed for worms. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[NanaJune]

I am having a similar problem with my Gold Sex Links. Their feathers all look bad and they are missing quite a few in their rear area (except for the rooster). My rooster NEVER loses feathers or looks poor, but my girls all look bad. Even my young pullets that are about 15 weeks old look the same. But I have never seen a louse or a mite on them. I keep Diatomaceous Earth out for them to dust in thinking that will help.

I DID get a tip from a friend who raises chickens that I have just started this week. She suggested I put 1/4 cup of Organic Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar per 1 gallon of water out for them everyday. She said it makes a HUGE difference in their feathers and their overall health. I began this on Monday. So far, I THINK they may look a little better, but I can't really tell a big difference yet. I am going to keep it up for a few weeks and see.

Anyway, I also question whether you can see lice and mites or not? I've never seen anything moving or crawing on them or on their feathers. They do have a lot of something that looks white and flaky - like a white feather "dust" or something. But it definitely is not alive whatever I'm seeing! And it's not the Diatomaceous Earth, either. It's more flaky than that.

 

[Imp]

Here you go. You can see lice & mites, but you may need to look hard.

Imp

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

 

[mariam]

NanaJune that sounds just like what is going on. I have the flaky stuff as well. I will try the apple cider vinegar. I was thinking of giving them a bath.... It just feels like the thing to do.

IMP thank for the link I will check it out.

 

[NanaJune]

Well, if it is lice will the Diatomaceous Earth help (and after checking out that link, I think it may be lice)? They do have a moth-eaten look to them! I will check their vent area tomorrow and look more closely.

The problem is, I am allergic to most pesticides so we do all organic. I don't think I can handle or be around the Sevin Dust that someone mentioned in another post. So, I am unsure what to do to help them out. I am wondering if the DE dusting will help if I directly dust their bodies with it?

 

[mariam]

I have looked again on my birds and still find nothing. I am however going to get some Diatomaceous Earth. Like yourself I have to be careful around chemicals/pesticides. I found a product called "Poultry Protector" on the McMurray website. Here is the link http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/poultry_protector.html . They say it is "all natural" and kills lice and mites and their eggs etc. I have an email into them to find out what is in it. They also have an RX shampoo. What I have read is that the Diatomaceous Earth doesn't kill the lice but protects the birds from getting them.

Let me know how it goes for you and I will post again when I find out about products.

 

[mariam]

Here is another site for Food Grade Diatomacous Earth. http://www.perma-guard.com/ Looks to be a good product and should kill lice and mites.

 

[Sissy]

( Apple cider vinegar ACV.)
I use the reg acv always have, but only a tablesp.
to a gal. of water.
your flock may not drink it if the odor is too stong.
1/4 cup seems like a lot. also I get garden dust 6.95 a can
at coop or tractor supply(TSC) I sprinkle it into the wood shavings on the floor,
and their nests.
a little goes a long way.
its great for garden and your flock.
oh..

 

[mariam]

Thanks. It sounds like apple cider vinegar and food grade DE is the way to go. Not all of my chickens are looking poor so maybe I can help before whatever it is gets too bad. I found another site http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com/ for food grade DE. Is DE the same as garden dust?

 

[mariam]

I have been reading that DE doesn't work to kill an infestation and then I hear that it does. Does anyone have experience that it does kill lice and mites?