How do you tell if it's mites or moult?

[10happychickens]

Thanks for all the dusting info. Our hen suspected of having mites has a small balding spot on her neck. I've dusted that area and also the vent. Vent area looks pretty normal except for a couple black dots (can't tell if it's poo dust or mites) and what looks like new feathers coming out. How do you tell if it's a new feather or a feather that's been chewed on? We're totally new at this, so any help is appreciated.
Thanks again!

 

[LarryPQ]

Bugs would leave egg sacks. You could also check at night with a flashlight, when the bugs are active.

Do you have a roo? A bald spot on the back of the neck could be from him "hanging on"

 

[MotherJean]

Here's a great resource (with photos) from the Univ. of California: http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8162.pdf Covers both mites and lice, their identification, and treatment.

 

[10happychickens]

No, we don't have a rooster. When I pull back the feathers in the balding spot, there are new feathers coming out, but the bald place has small red bumps. Is that normal?