Irritated skin on underside/vent area

[mustangsaguaro]

I have a hen that I got around Jan 1. She came w/ 2 others. I have treated all 3 for external mites. I have used both DE and the Poultry Dust to treat mites. 2 of the 3 seem to be ok. But this one hen doesn't seem to be getting better. I went away for 4 days this past weekend and this morning when I went to let them out I checked them and she has red irritated skin on her underside and near her vent area. Prior to me going away she appeared to be doing better. But now it seems worse. While I was away my husband was taking care of the chickens. He basically left them in the whole time I was gone as he didn't want to have to bother w/ letting these 3 in and out as I have them isolated from my others. Her skin is real red and almost seems dry too. I just put another treatment of Poultry Dust/Powder on her. What else should I do? I was going to let these 3 in w/ my other birds beginning of Feb, but now I am somewhat hesitant because of the way her skin looks (thinking it might be mites/lice, etc. and don't want to have the others get it). Besides the powder what else can I do? The other 2 appear to be fine, no irritated skin or missing feathers. So am wondering if it truly is mites/lice. I will try to get pictures and post them.

Kim

 

[HenHaven]

Hi Kim,

For mites, you have to dust every 10 days for at least 3 cycles. Two didn't do it for me. I dusted twice, and a few of the girls had a reoccurance. You also have to make sure the powder gets to the base of the feathers where the bugs and eggs are located.

You might want to give her a bath with Adams Flea and Tick shampoo. I would also give her a good supplement. Mites and/or lice can really sap their strength. Definitely keep her isolated until you are 100% sure she is free of mites. It is a major hassle to treat a whole flock!

The redness and dryness describe just how my BR looked when she was molting. Could this be the issue with this bird? My BR looked like she had a severe sunburn and dryness too in the same area.

Good luck!

 

[mustangsaguaro]

Definitely keep her isolated until you are 100% sure she is free of mites.

How will I know that she is 100% free of mites? Also, since the other 2 appear to be ok, can I let them in w/ the rest or should I just keep them w/ this one that has the mites until she is 100%. I'd hate to have her all by herself, but if the other 2 are ok I don't want to have them get reinfected.

I am however wondering w/ this wet and cold weather we are having in California how long can mites live? Or can they die when it gets cold out?​

 

[silkiechicken]

Even if it freezes outside, mites can still live on your birds. Keep all the new one's together till you are sure they are free of mites. At least a month of continual dusting is what I'd do... and then I'd keep a very very close eye on them once you "think they are gone" to see if they come back after you treat. ... Then after I introduce them to the rest... dust every body. Lice and mites are terrible to get rid of from my experience.

 

[mustangsaguaro]

I have some pics of the affected area I was referring to. Do you think this is mites/lice or something else.

This is the underside of her belly.

 

[shady chickens]

I had a black-barred rock that looked the same, only worse. I'm not sure what it was, but it lingered for a long time, her butt became red, bare, heavy and full, sometimes she became sick, lethargic, was even treated with antibiotics. The vet was stumped. She just died yesterday. Can't say that the red bare butt had anything to do with it, but we're contemplating a necropsy right now. If you find out what it is, please share! And i will post any necropsy results, if we decide (by tomorrow morning) we are going thru with it. you can search my previous posts, describing the condtiion.

good luck with your chicken.

Shady Chickens