How to get rid of mites from VENT area

[rosemarythyme]

Looks like a massive scab, or infection? Scabbing can be a sign of mite infestation but it's hard to tell what I'm looking at. Sorry, hope others might have a better idea?

 

[Eggcessive]

I cannot tell much from the pictures. I am sorry for your loss. Here are some links to read with pictures of both lice and mites and what to look for:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8162.pdf
Treating for flies in the coop with permethrin 10 spray might be helpful to control maggots or lice and mites. And here is some info on flystrike or maggot infestation with pics which you have already dealt with:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/flystrike-in-backyard-chickens-causes/

 

[sloanbychoice]

I’m so sorry she didn’t make it!
All you can do is thorough checks of the others in the flock.
In my opinion, though it was hard to tell, that picture looked like infection or possibly yeast-like issue?
And if you’re saying the parasite was slimy, I am not thinking lice. And like rosemary said, mites are tiny red or dark. Both are a dry parasite.
If there was a “slimy” creature, I’m in agreement that it could have been maggots of some kind.
If it was yeasty or infected, there could have been dead skin, and maggots would thrive on that.

Try to sit with your others, spend time checking them over. Check carefully around their vents, on their backs, and their “drumsticks”... make sure skin looks in good condition.
This can be hard if they don’t like being manhandled, but stay calm and hang out with them.

I’m not sure if it need to be said or not, but your comment about the bath and being wet.... just wanted to throw in that after a bath, they should be dried very well before returning to their coop.

Again, I’m so sorry.
See if you can get pics of any issues on the others.

 

[Acre4Me]

Sorry for your loss!!

permethrin works well and no egg withdrawal. Permethrin is the synthetic version of natural pyrethrin, which is found in marigolds. We use permethrin concentrate in a garden sprayer. We clean out the coop thoroughly, spray heavily (roosts, floor, walls, corners/ crevices). Then we use the garden sprayer to spray the birds. One personholds the bird upside down by the legs and the other person quickly sprays the vent area, between legs, under wings. Then they go into the clean coop. This way we keep track of the sprayed birds.

you can bath a chicken. They don’t particularly love it. But you need to use a hair dryer to help them to dry completely and warm up. Surprisingly, chickens like the hair dryer!

good luck with the rest of your flock!

 

[R_V]

I’m so sorry she didn’t make it!
All you can do is thorough checks of the others in the flock.
In my opinion, though it was hard to tell, that picture looked like infection or possibly yeast-like issue?
And if you’re saying the parasite was slimy, I am not thinking lice. And like rosemary said, mites are tiny red or dark. Both are a dry parasite.
If there was a “slimy” creature, I’m in agreement that it could have been maggots of some kind.
If it was yeasty or infected, there could have been dead skin, and maggots would thrive on that.

Try to sit with your others, spend time checking them over. Check carefully around their vents, on their backs, and their “drumsticks”... make sure skin looks in good condition.
This can be hard if they don’t like being manhandled, but stay calm and hang out with them.

I’m not sure if it need to be said or not, but your comment about the bath and being wet.... just wanted to throw in that after a bath, they should be dried very well before returning to their coop.

Again, I’m so sorry.
See if you can get pics of any issues on the others.

If it were an infection, what would have been the most likely cause? Same with yeast issues?

They were very small and some had darkened bottoms. They were very overall very light in color, yes. I wish I had pictures so I could know how to best treat them in case this occurs again. Having said that, she was lethargic and by the end could not stand on her own. Which of the two parasites are known to cause these issues?

I have just reviewed their vents and around their vent areas today. There didn't appear to be any parasites. About the bath, yes. I thought that if I dried her off before the dust could take effect and kill those buggers, they'd just.. Oh man. I don't think I'll be able to live this one down.

Thank you for your condolences. We buried her next to her favorite sitting spot these past few days—the banana trees. ❤

 

[R_V]

Sorry for your loss!!

permethrin works well and no egg withdrawal. Permethrin is the synthetic version of natural pyrethrin, which is found in marigolds. We use permethrin concentrate in a garden sprayer. We clean out the coop thoroughly, spray heavily (roosts, floor, walls, corners/ crevices). Then we use the garden sprayer to spray the birds. One personholds the bird upside down by the legs and the other person quickly sprays the vent area, between legs, under wings. Then they go into the clean coop. This way we keep track of the sprayed birds.

you can bath a chicken. They don’t particularly love it. But you need to use a hair dryer to help them to dry completely and warm up. Surprisingly, chickens like the hair dryer!

good luck with the rest of your flock!

Thank you for your condolences. Is any brand of Permethrin okay or recommended? Can eggs still be eaten if this product is used on hens? How often should one give them a run down? I have previously been advised to do a thorough check of their bodies bi-monthly, if not more.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you for your condolences. Is any brand of Permethrin okay or recommended? Can eggs still be eaten if this product is used on hens? How often should one give them a run down? I have previously been advised to do a thorough check of their bodies bi-monthly, if not more.

Any brand of permethrin should be fine, from what I've seen all the powders are the same concentration (0.25% permethrin). Liquids come in different concentration so you may need to dilute it, directions should be on package for dosage.

No egg withdrawl time so you can eat any eggs laid.

I don't "pretreat" so I'd only use this if I have a confirmed case of mites. After initial treatment you need to repeat between 5-10 days later, as permethrin does not kill mite eggs. If there's still mites after that, repeat again.

I do spot checks every 7-10 days or so. Just grab random birds and check vents, check their skin, feet and legs, take a look around the face, and in general watch their behavior as you interact with them on a daily basis.

 

[Acre4Me]

Thank you for your condolences. Is any brand of Permethrin okay or recommended? Can eggs still be eaten if this product is used on hens? How often should one give them a run down? I have previously been advised to do a thorough check of their bodies bi-monthly, if not more.

everything @rosemarythyme said!

 

[BloomBunny]

UPDATE: Popcorn didn't make it. She passed away today around 9 PM. ... But they were yellowish in color (almost that of maggots) and very tiny, slimy creatures.

I'm sorry you lost Popcorn.

Sorry about the loss. But it doesn't sound like mites, which would be super tiny black or red pindots. Are you sure they weren't tiny maggots?

Scabbing can be a sign of mite infestation but it's hard to tell what I'm looking at.

The parasite was killed with wood ash which is still dusting the vent area. Looks like a grey scab.

Treating for flies in the coop with permethrin 10 spray might be helpful to control maggots or lice and mites. And here is some info on flystrike or maggot infestation with pics which you have already dealt with:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/flystrike-in-backyard-chickens-causes/

And if you’re saying the parasite was slimy, I am not thinking lice. And like rosemary said, mites are tiny red or dark. Both are a dry parasite.
If there was a “slimy” creature, I’m in agreement that it could have been maggots of some kind.

I think she died of flystrike from your description. This would not infect the other birds unless they get wet goopy butts for the maggots to develop in. Check the link on flystrike that Eggsessive posted.

Flystrike also explains why you lost her so quickly. Lice and mites can kill, but usually they weaken the chicken slowly. Flystrike can be more invasive, and cause shock.

 

[R_V]

Any brand of permethrin should be fine, from what I've seen all the powders are the same concentration (0.25% permethrin). Liquids come in different concentration so you may need to dilute it, directions should be on package for dosage.

No egg withdrawl time so you can eat any eggs laid.

I don't "pretreat" so I'd only use this if I have a confirmed case of mites. After initial treatment you need to repeat between 5-10 days later, as permethrin does not kill mite eggs. If there's still mites after that, repeat again.

I do spot checks every 7-10 days or so. Just grab random birds and check vents, check their skin, feet and legs, take a look around the face, and in general watch their behavior as you interact with them on a daily basis.

Thank you so much for the recommendation. I'm still learning quite a lot. Very displeased about what happened with Popcorn but this doesn't mean it has to happen ever again. Thank you so much.