*I'm* getting bites: mites? lice?

[KansasKate]

So, I picked up one of my Barred Rocks last night. This morning I had bites all over my front.

My EE has loose feathers on her back now and again. She is also the hardest to catch.

Lice? Mites?

 

[teach1rusl]

IMO lice is out, but I'm not sure whether feather mites would bite humans or not?? I would definitely get your BR and inspect her closely - around her neck, under her wings, and around her vent area - part the feathers and looks closely at her skin and the bottom of the feather shafts....

 

[teach1rusl]

Here's a good link: http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8162.pdf

 

[KansasKate]

Thank you--that's helpful! Any other people have experience with poultry pests biting you? I'm concerned because the lady I got the chickens from has lost an Easter Egger and I'm suspecting whatever got hers is in mine.

 

[KansasKate]

....based on the descriptions in the link, I'm guessing Northern fowl mites.