Is this depluming mite? Pic included

[TwoCrows]

Is she chewing them off? Or are they falling out?

Chewing them off is a good indication of depluming mites as the feather is irritated. You can also see the shaft destroyed from the inside out. Birds strip the shaft of all feather with over grooming.

If the feathers are falling out, this could be from chewing lice. Chewing lice can cause feather loss.

 

[TwoCrows]

Also...could she be molting? Either a standard molt or a mini molt from having been broody?

 

[aart]

These are the only pics I've ever seen of feather shaft mite evidence/damage..
..and I've looked and looked and looked:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-nothing-works.1256486/page-3#post-20162786

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

Welcome to byc!! Glad you could join the Flock! Let me know if you need anything!

 

[Sue Gremlin]

Great shots of the mite! I especially love the one with the giant egg inside.
You captured the important structures for ID here, the pretarsi (toes). I see a bell shaped pedicle and other diagnostic structures. I’m going to take some time to ID this one. Awesome shots!

Do you have other animals around the chickens?

 

[aart]

Think I found it. Megninia feather mite. Anyone have any suggestions?
View attachment 1725930

@Sue Gremlin is this the pic you mean with giant egg?

@klbaker75 can you link the website where you found this pic, might be more info there?

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

I had a hen with depluming mites. It started on her face and she would scratch it and scratch it until there were scabs on her face. Eventually the bald patch extended most of the way across her throat and around the back of the neck, and she was a bearded polish, so she looked terrible. She would take one step then stop to scratch, one step then stop to scratch.

It baffled me for a long time because I couldnt find any sign of the actual mites and none of my other chickens were affected. I finally treated with ivermectin drops for several weeks as the three week recommend course wasn't enough, and it worked. She grew all the feathers back in the end.

 

[aart]

I finally treated with ivermectin drops for several weeks as the three week recommend course wasn't enough, and it worked.

Orally or topically?
More details on your treatment regime?

 

[TwoCrows]

I had a hen with depluming mites. It started on her face and she would scratch it and scratch it until there were scabs on her face. Eventually the bald patch extended most of the way across her throat and around the back of the neck, and she was a bearded polish, so she looked terrible. She would take one step then stop to scratch, one step then stop to scratch.

It baffled me for a long time because I couldnt find any sign of the actual mites and none of my other chickens were affected. I finally treated with ivermectin drops for several weeks as the three week recommend course wasn't enough, and it worked. She grew all the feathers back in the end.

Same here. I used 6 to 8 drops on the skin behind the neck of a 6 pound bird, once a week for 1 month. Gave her a month off and then repeated this dosage for another 3 or 4 weeks. You can never get rid of all of them but you can make a HUGE dent in the population to the point of them being nearly gone.

 

[aart]

Same here. I used 6 to 8 drops on the skin behind the neck of a 6 pound bird, once a week for 1 month.

What formulation? Only familiar with heartworm tabs for dog.
Any concerns or protocol for egg withdrawal?