Help!!! Orange Mystery clusters on my flock

[Wyorp Rock]

Did you try Texas A&M? Some state labs require a vet to submit samples, but a lot of times they don't. https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/

 

[LibbyR]

Not trying to repeat others, but could it be something coming from under the skin? From the recent pictures it almost looks like it’s swollen around the edges and then the weird orange stuff. Maybe some type of weird scab? Are the birds sick at all besides having weird orange stuff on them? Even though I know this is irritating to you it is very interesting please post what you find out.

 

[R3n3308]

Not trying to repeat others, but could it be something coming from under the skin? From the recent pictures it almost looks like it’s swollen around the edges and then the weird orange stuff. Maybe some type of weird scab? Are the birds sick at all besides having weird orange stuff on them? Even though I know this is irritating to you it is very interesting please post what you find out.

No they are not sick, they are acting just fine

 

[Kiki]

I wonder if the orange color is throwing us off because if their skin color.
I'm really thinking these are scabs.

 

[R3n3308]

So he said he thinks they are harvest mites. Which are like larvae for chiggars. He also attatched treatments. Idk I'm trying to read and figure out what to treat them with. (My comprehension isnt the best sometimes) on the permethrin I'm seeing a way higher dose for poultry than my bottle suggests. Also I thought sevin had a lifetime egg withdraw??? I have sulfer I can bathe them in, I dont see where it mentions that to treat chiggars only a different mite. But my mother said sulfer repels or kills chiggers? So add to dust bath or dip them in a bath?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I use sevin dust in my chickens’ bedding and I don’t pull their eggs.

 

[coach723]

Found this in the Merck Veterinary manual:
Common Chigger
The common chigger, Trombicula alfreddugesi, and other chigger species (harvest mites, red bugs) infest birds as well as people and other mammals, feeding on partially digested skin cells and lymph. Heavily parasitized birds become droopy, refuse to eat, and may die from starvation and exhaustion. Larvae may be found either singly or in clusters on the ventral portion of the birds. Control on the range is aided by keeping the grass cut short and dusting with sulfur, carbaryl, or malathion.
Link here: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/ectoparasites/mites-of-poultry

Seems to be a lot of Europe websites that talk about it, found one that recommended Neem Oil, and found some showing products containing it, and this one says it's not toxic to chickens: https://www.communitychickens.com/natural-pest-solutions-neem-oil/

This one says Frontline Spray is effective, but not the drops:
https://www.darwinvets.com/dogs/harvest-mites-and-your-pets

Also did a search for chigger eggs, and indeed many of the images come up with orange eggs.

 

[coach723]

Here is another blog discussion on this exact subject:
http://forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8034285

 

[aart]

Here is another blog discussion on this exact subject:
http://forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8034285

Find this odd "kitten strength permethrin"....I thought permethrin was toxic to cats?

Great sleuthing @coach723!!

 

[Kiki]

So he said he thinks they are harvest mites. Which are like larvae for chiggars. He also attatched treatments. Idk I'm trying to read and figure out what to treat them with. (My comprehension isnt the best sometimes) on the permethrin I'm seeing a way higher dose for poultry than my bottle suggests. Also I thought sevin had a lifetime egg withdraw??? I have sulfer I can bathe them in, I dont see where it mentions that to treat chiggars only a different mite. But my mother said sulfer repels or kills chiggers? So add to dust bath or dip them in a bath?

Permethrin is good.
I would try it.
I'm not seeing the dose you mention above though.
Can you tell me what that is please.

It depends on which bottle/product of permethrin you buy.
I can help you with a dosing amount if you tell me the exact product you have on hand already.
FWIW
This is sold "ready to use"
no mixing with water required.

Martin's PERMETHRIN spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• 6
• flies lice mites permethrin

Martin's Horse & Stable Permethrin Spray

• Kiki
• Mar 22, 2018
• flies lice mites permethrin

Permethrin