Illinois...

[BReeder!]

Lice can be species specific, so you probably wouldn't catch lice, but they are bigger, so you might see them. My guess is mites. You rarely see mites unless there's a huge infestation or you've got a bird that's not dust bathing - like a broody hen or weaker chicken. Either way, it's the same treatment. Although I do not see mites, I suspected it here.

For my birds, it started with poopy butt. (It's an orp thing.) As we washed each chicken, I noticed some had red skin and a couple had ratty-looking tummy feathers. Rooster feather damage is usually the head, back & sides of the hens. I know a couple people who are currently battling mites, so I suspect the weather this year may be the reason for the increase.

While my chickens were out in the yard on Saturday, I removed all the old bedding, feathers, spider webs, etc, then did a deep scrubbing, permethrin coop spray and DE after things dried before adding the new bedding. I also did lots of chicken baths and dusted them when dry.

TIPS:
* During/after the bath when the hen is wet, it's easier to inspect skin and feather shafts for mite damage.
* Chicken baths on a hot day help cool off chickens. Also allows you to keep chickens outside and prevents the need to blow dry.
* Easier to dust chickens at night and with a partner.

I have permethrin. When you say permethrin coop spray, is that a chicken safe product or can I just use ordinary permethrin concentrate in my sprayer with water?

 

[Faraday40]

I have permethrin. When you say permethrin coop spray, is that a chicken safe product or can I just use ordinary permethrin concentrate in my sprayer with water?

Mine is a concentrate but the fine print on the label gives the mixing directions for a poultry premises spray. Cautions to remove all feed & waterers of course. It does have an odor but aired out quickly. No odor by the time the chickens return for bed. There's also directions for a watered down spray to apply to chickens..... but I didn't trust it. The baths and poultry dust did wonders, so why mess with an egg withdrawal.

 

[Molpet]

Good morning all
I harvested 2 Cockerels without fainting. There were 4 things that I was suspicious of causing me to get lightheaded last time. 3 were easy to prevent
I took allergy meds last night and this morning.
ate a bit
layered clothing. So when I started to get hot, at 8 am, I could easily get down to a tank top and shorts.

So I put eggs in the incubator since I have a ton of broodies and it looks like I will be able to harvest without help

Thanks to all who offered to help, hopefully I can be self-sufficient for many more years.

 

[BReeder!]

I tossed together an extra shelter for our ducks. The 4'x4' indoor space just doesn't cut it for all these feathered pals.
They like the shelter well enough. It keeps a spot dry for them when it rains and provides a cozy place to cuddle if they want. Three roof is a piece off clear poly panel so light gets in for me to easily see if there's eggs. In the winter, it should provide a greenhouse effect if I cover the front to hold in heat.

 

[cavemanrich]

I tossed together an extra shelter for our ducks.

Do you have plans to predator proof that ,,,,if they decide to overnite?

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

Apparently I need to dust for mites or lice. I never see them. One chicken ("Duck" the CX) has a bare rump though. She's actually had a bare rump for quite a while honestly. I just thought there was some weird molt issue at first. I have checked her a number of times for bugs. I never see any. I do see redness of the skin though. I researched this more today and all signs point towards mites or possibly lice. I think lice would have spread to the humans around here by now, so I'm putting my money on mites. I am booked all day 9-5 the next two days. I'll have to try to get to Farm and Fleet in the evening or get DW to go. So annoying! Good news is the other chickens do not seem affected. I don't want things getting worse though. I'll need to check the dust bath too. They like to dust bathe in the dry dirt a lot, but I keep an old tire filled with ash, dirt, sand, DE and whatever else I add for them to dust bath in just in case.

I hope you dont have them. I have been at war with mites for several months now. If you spray or bathe them in permethrin use the strongest possible mix. The mites in our area are permethrin resistant. I am just going to order ivermectin . Otherwise my war is lost, I give up. Mites are so small you can barely see them. But when they bite you it leaves an itchy bump.

 

[BReeder!]

I tossed together an extra shelter for our ducks. The 4'x4' indoor space just doesn't cut it for all these feathered pals.
They like the shelter well enough. It keeps a spot dry for them when it rains and provides a cozy place to cuddle if they want. Three roof is a piece off clear poly panel so light gets in for me to easily see if there's eggs. In the winter, it should provide a greenhouse effect if I cover the front to hold in heat.
View attachment 2721982

The duck pen now has hardware cloth and chicken wire attached to the fence. I also added bird netting above the feve to a height of 6ft. There's nothing over top, but most things don't enjoy climbing a net. Hawks could fly in, but it would be tight for them to make a landing without going through the netting. Possums we're the big issue this past winter while food was scarce for them. I will be keeping a trap outside the duck pen all winter, but the added wire and netting SHOULD block their attempts.

 

[Molpet]

The mites in our area are permethrin resistant

https://entomologytoday.org/2016/07/18/battling-chicken-mites-with-bags-of-brimstone/

 

[Faraday40]

https://entomologytoday.org/2016/07/18/battling-chicken-mites-with-bags-of-brimstone/

OK You've got my attention.
Have you (Or anyone you know) tried it? How bad does it smell when outside?

 

[Molpet]

OK You've got my attention.
Have you (Or anyone you know) tried it? How bad does it smell when outside?

I put sulfur in the dust bath, and poof the birds, roosts and such. Works if I remember to do it. I don't notice the smell 20 ft away. Keeps ticks off dogs and pants but that is a noticeable smell