hen keeps shaking head

[redwa]

My year old australorp keeps shaking her head (mildly and occasionally). I don't see any mites or other bugs. Any ideas? Also, do australorps usually lose the feathers around their head? I saw another flock of australorps recently that seemed to be "bald" and now mine seems to be as well. They do not seem to be growing back. I though maybe she was molting but nothing new is replacing the ones that have fallen out. Any ideas?

 

[dlhunicorn]

might be a number of things including mites/lice:
http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/ipm/pestprog/educate/poultry.pdf

 

[Pine Grove]

Look in her ears, What do you see?

 

[redwa]

I looked in her ears first thing this morning. They look like two red convoluted fists. I couldn't see beyond that. What should I see or what am I looking for?

 

[dlhunicorn]

if the feathers are wet and matted that will indicate infection... does she scratch in that area?

 

[redwa]

No, her ears are not wet or matted and she does not scratch. Nor do they have an odor. I am wondering if it is some type of mite that I just can not see. I have used DE and something stronger on her twice now. Also, her feathers where the rooster kept mounting her (base of tail) have not returned and the skin is very red. Any other thoughts? Thank you for your help.

 

[dlhunicorn]

mites can be miniscule and often do not completely go away with dusting... if it were me I would thoroughly clean out coop and treat it with an "industrial"strength paraseticide (this is usually the source of reinfestation) and give her an ivomec Eprinex spot-on treatment.
I would also give a good supplement in their feed.

 

[redwa]

Can you continue to eat the eggs after an application of Ivomec Eprinex or do you have to wait a few weeks? Is it really nasty stuff? Also, what industrial strength paraseticide do you recommend? Thanks, you seem to know so much. How long have you been hanging with chickens?

 

[dlhunicorn]

actually it is "safer" than some of the other alternatives...I use it for my birds ...
Here is an article with instructions:
http://www.homestead.com/shilala/ivomec.html
(a water application is also described but the spot-on is more effective)

 

[Pine Grove]

Her ears seem fine to me, Any sand gnats in your area?