is this mites?

[Chickenslol]

i came home from a trip to find one of my 9 month old girls with a pale comb and face. I took her inside and was monitoring her for dehydration (it is worth mentioning that she was locked out of the coop and unable to get water for a bit). We checked for mites and noticed these little black spots all over her and near the feather shafts. thinking mites but i’m not sure.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

@aart @MysteryChicken I think they are mites.

 

[MysteryChicken]

@aart @MysteryChicken I think they are mites.

Yep, those are mites. I'd suggest getting some permethrin dust.

 

[Chickenslol]

Yep, those are mites. I'd suggest getting some permethrin dust.

we were gonna pick up some spray in the morning, does that work too?

 

[MysteryChicken]

we were gonna pick up some spray in the morning, does that work too?

Yes, it'll work.

 

[aart]

Were they moving?
I see some black dots......could be dirt.
Dot on comb could be from peck wounds and/or dry pox.


My Bug Check notes:
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[Chickenslol]

Were they moving?
I see some black dots......could be dirt.
Dot on comb could be from peck wounds and/or dry pox.


My Bug Check notes:
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

i think i might have caught an early infestation of NFM. they were not moving, but were tiny black dots ALL over the bird. you’re def right on the comb, it looks like pecking wounds to me. thanks for the help!

 

[Chickenslol]

hey! little update, she is back with her sisters outside. her condition improved dramatically but we still used the mites spray, and she got much better. happy to report she is healthy!!!

 

[Chickenslol]

oops i spoke too soon. she’s back in quarantine, her comb isn’t fully there and she seems a little lethargic. her poop is liquid and she won’t stop drinking water. currently monitoring for a crop issue, but she has similar symptoms to a chicken who passed a few weeks ago, especially the water drinking. we shall see

 

[Chickenslol]

currently treating for sour crop