is this lice or Mites on Silkie ?

[Avent]

It does! Thanks so much for all the useful info!

 

[Avent]

Michael, could the photos I attached clue you in on if she actually has mites or lice?

 

[TOOCLOSE]

It doesn't look like new feathers coming in. No pins to be seen. Her skin is awfully dry looking. Or is that the sevin dust?

I know what I'd do, but I'm an inside chicken mom! She'd be snuggled under a fuzzy blanket after being blown dried.

I can't help myself!

TC

 

[Avent]

Lol! Under a blanket would be awesome !!
The dryness is from the sevin. Dusted her two days ago.

 

[TOOCLOSE]

Maria! Daddy's little girl!

 

[Michael Apple]

Michael, could the photos I attached clue you in on if she actually has mites or lice?

It does look like new growth and dry skin. Methionine and Lysine, vitamins A,B,C,D,E are important all the time, but especially during moult/egg production. A quality poultry vitamin-electrolyte in water each day through this time helps since birds tend to eat less during moult and it helps prevent stress. Adding wheat germ oil fortified with A,D,E at 2-4 tsp per pound of feed is also helpful with feather growth once a week.

There are a number of good moult supplements on the market which are comprised of digestible proteins which aren't in the average formulated feed. They are marketed to pigeon fanciers and are brands such as Avio-Moult, Pre-Molt 100, etc. Some are formulated for use in feed and others are water soluble. Nutritional yeast also contains a beneficial list of amino acids and B vitamins, but care should be used in not feeding too much, too often (1 tsp per pound of feed moistened with 2-4 tsp of wheat germ oil helps nutritional yeast powder adhere to feed better, or feed lightly moistened with water.

I use milk products as a digestible source of protein additions periodically; primarily buttermilk mixed in feed once or twice a week. Despite the parroting of lactose intolerant birds across the forum, milk proteins have long been used, and proven through countless trials, to be beneficial to chickens in the proper amounts. A digestible animal protein, coupled with vegetable proteins (those used in formulated feed) is a recommended balance for chickens.

Here's a bit about diet:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/li...ltry/poultry-rations-and-feeding-methods.html

 

[chickengeorgeto]

The first thing you need to do is count the number of legs on the mites or the lice that your birds are infested with. The former will have 8 or 4 pair of legs the latter will have 6 legs or 3 pair. This is true because an ADULT mite is a member of the Arachnid family like spiders are, while an ADULT louse is a member of the insect family and only has 6 legs.

I like Mr. Apple's way and I think that it will work killing mites and lice. Here is how I do it.

I think that soap and water baths for chickens is not only ineffective but dangerous to the health, wellbeing, and the life of a chicken. DE in my opinion is worst than useless except for use as cat litter. The hen belongs to you so I guess that you can treat her for mites and lice in which ever way that you choose. Chickens have an oil gland at the root of their tail and this oil gland is used to supply an oil dressing for their feathers. Soap strips the oil dressing or waterproofing off of the feathers and also makes it more difficult for the tiny barbs on the edge of each feather to interlock with the feathers on either side of it.

At any rate if chickens liked or needed soap and water baths like human babies do, I believe by now that I would have already discovered a rooster singing in the shower.

It does look somewhat like you have a chicken body lice problem. A 10 gallon container that is deep enough to dip a chicken in up to its neck in water mixed with Pyrethrum should kill all adult lice. Re-dipping in a week to 10 days should kill any lice eggs that have hatched since the first dipping.

To dip her bring the leading edges of both wings together behind her head, holding them together with your thumb and forefinger, sort of like how you see pictures of angles' wings. Then gently but firmly grasp both feet in the other hand, now stick her feet first into the dip solution all the way up to her neck. After a couple of seconds remove her and gently toss her onto a dry grassy spot to shake and recover her dignity.

Dip every hen or rooster on your place before you stop, or even slack up with the dipping. The left over dip is good to spray on and wash down the coop, pen, roost, run, and other chicken premises. A small amount of a good grade of dry dog or cat food in addition to her daily laying pellets will go far in seeing that she regrows some hard strong new feathers. A heaping teaspoonful of raw canned salmon per day or two is also good. That is if you can resist eating it all yourself. Use a pair of high topped rubber gloves and safety goggles to keep excess dip off of your skin and out of your eyes. Use and dispose of the dip in a responsible manner. Disposed of improperly it can kill the heck out of honey bees and aquatic life.

 

[TOOCLOSE]

There are some good suggestions from everyone! Everybody has different chickens with different personalities. Mine are super gentle and are held everyday. I give our silkies bathes from time to time. I learned how from a woman that shows her birds. I use the Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo because it's gentle and doesn't hurt their eyes. My birds are six years old and it's never done them any harm.

We chicken ppl all have our own techniques and beliefs! I share my knowledge and I'm grateful to others for sharing theirs.

Thank You

TC

 

[Avent]

Just saw Maria this morning (fell asleep last night, lol) she's BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!

 

[TOOCLOSE]

Thank You!
How is your hen?

TC