Help!!! Sick chicken!!! Don't know what to do!!!

[Just a kid]

So my seven month old polish hen had been acting oldly lately. Today when I went to open up the chickens she didn't leave. So I brought her inside, seeing that she was looking a little rough I decided to give her a bath. After I was trimming her hair and I came across these things. Is it a form of mites? What do I do? Are my other chickens in danger? And is this a possible danger for my family? Anything helps!
-Just a Kid

 

[Eggcessive]

Maybe lice eggs? Or mites? Do you see any tiny bugs crawling on her skin? If you see them, get some Permethrin 10% spray concentrate. Mix according to directions for chickens, and treat the chicken and the coop as well after emptying and replacing bedding and nests. Lice egg hatch every 10 days, so treat again in 10 days to get the newly hatched ones before they lay eggs. Mites hatch every 7 days.

 

[Just a kid]

Thank you for the help. Sadly I lost my little hen. Now I'm worried that the other hens might get it. None of them are showing any signs yet but just in case How do I prevent this from happening again? And if it does happen is there anything else i should do?

 

[Jessdesk]

It’s hard to tell. It looks like lice eggs.

My rooster that was attacked by a dog had very thick lice. Most of the other chickens had little to none. I think they liked my rooster because he was already weak. I have no idea where mine came from... but this is how I fixed it.

Go to tractor supply or a feed store and get FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth (DE)... they keep it in the horse medication section. It is almost like vacuum cleaner dust it is so fine. From what I read it is made from tiny freshwater animal exoskeletons and it cuts up the soft bugs, but doesn’t hurt skin.

Carefully dust your chooks, making sure you don’t get it around their face and nose. This will make you VERY dirty.

Clean the coop. I scrubbed mine with dish soap and rinsed. Then sprayed the sleeping area with very mild bleach solution. Let air dry, then added DE to the coop area and the dust bathing area. And add bedding like normal.

No more lice (you can probably skip the bleach)

Best place to look for lice is around their vent. What part of the body did you get those feathers from?

 

[Jessdesk]

Btw, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss.



Instead of bleach you might use some diluted coconut oil, I’ve hear that gets rid of arachnids in case you have mites.

 

[Just a kid]

Thank you to all the response to this post it has really helped me a lot! I have one more question. I have one hen that definitely has lice. I separated her, bought some diatomaceous earth, and I dusted her with it. Then since she was weak I let her spend the night inside the house and the next day I kept her inside to help her regain her strength. The problem is now I brought her outside and she just lays on the ground and doesn't move. It seems like she cant move her legs. I kinda think her legs might just be asleep from sitting all day. Is this a possibility? If not what do you think it is?

I also have another concern, her poop is very liquidy and green. Its practically just water. Should I feed her some more protein? Because she's been in one spot for two days her bottom is dirty. I tried to keep moving her so she wouldn't be sitting in poop for long but with school and my already crazy life I couldn't move her as often as I wanted. Should I give her a bath to clean her up?

Thank you for all the help!
-Just a Kid

 

[Eggcessive]

DE will not treat a mite or lice infestation. Get some Permethrin spray or powder. The 10% spray will treat both the chickens and the coop, nests, and roosts. But empty the bedding first before spraying, and replace it with new.
Sorry that you lost the hen. The hen that can’t get up may have something more going on. How long has this been going on? Mareks disease could be possible. I would try giving fluids, electrolytes, and offering some chopped egg.

 

[Just a kid]

Its been going on for about a week maybe. I first noticed it when she was outside. she was keeping to herself and not walking at all. When I tried to get her to walk she fell over so I brought her inside. Her poop is very watery, but her appetite maintains steady and normal. She has started to move her feet a bit but other than that nothing. When I take her outside she eats all the grass around her and tries to move by dragging herself by the wings. I've also been feeding her spinach. Is there anything else I can give her?

 

[Eggcessive]

It really could be Mareks, but I hope not. Try mixing a small amount of chicken feed with a lot of water like a thin oatmeal to get plenty of fluid into her. Google images of chicken slings, since you can make one of those to get her upright and sitting in front of food and water. If you use one, let her out often. Try some vitamins in her water. If you should lose her, I would get a necropsy done to look for Mareks.

 

[Just a kid]

If she does have Marek's what do I do? My parents think that if that is the case maybe I should put her to sleep so that she doesn't have to suffer. Is there anything else I can do? I really like her but I also don't want her to suffer.