Help! Mites or lice!!

[albird101]

i bought a new rooster last Saturday and I was wondering why his feathers looked all raggedy and tore, so I began plucking out his broken feathers so he can grow some new ones but I discovered this, what is it? And how can I get rid of them thanks!!

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

It is hard to see from your photo, but usually with mites, you will see a lot of what looks like dirt specks all around the base of the feathers, especially around the vent, behind the neck and under the wings. Places the birds can't reach well. However broken feathers can also be a symptom of mites as the birds over preen these areas, and reddened skin. If you do suspect mites, you will want to spray your birds with permethrin spray or dust with Sevin Dust. The spray can be purchased in most parrot sections of pet stores and the Seven can be purchased at Walmart in the garden section. Make sure to get right down to the skin. Blow the feathers back or gently pull them back as you spray or dust the birds. Get the entire bird as well. Strip down the coop as well. All bedding, nest boxes, floors, all of it. Spray nest boxes, roost bars, under the roost bar where bugs love to hide and lay eggs, and every corner and floor surface. You will need to repeat the process on the birds 2 times a week for a couple weeks. The coop will need another good cleaning each week for a couple weeks.

Good luck with this and I hope you get a handle on it soon!

 

[amberbanker]

From what I saw it looks like the average bird mite. If you go to a feed store they have poultry dust.sprinkle the bird with it on the belly side be sure to pay special attention to the underside of the wings and the vent area (their butt) and ruffle thru feathers down to skin about once a month. If you get a new bird then it is best to treat them before you bring them home I hope this helps

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Looks like your bird has lice, nice article on pests http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig140 X3 on TwoCrows good advice about treating him.

 

[gander007]

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]