Itching chickens

[zpearson77]

I am new to the chicken thing! My girls are itching all the time , their heads, necks and wings. Is this normal or should I treat them?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Pick them up and look for bugs (lice/mites). Especially observe around the vent, under wings and look at base of feather follicles.
They do scratch a lot. Sometimes they are preening with the oil gland.

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

I agree with the above.

 

[zpearson77]

Thanks picked them up couldn't feel anything. What is the best food to feed these girls I have been giving them pellets and scratch and only one egg

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad to have you aboard!!

 

[redsoxs]

Howdy from Kansas, zpearson77, and

! Great to have you with us! I concur with the advice of chicken canoe.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

mites and lice are common in chickens. They can go downhill fast if they have a heavy infestation.

 

[sumi]

Thanks picked them up couldn't feel anything. What is the best food to feed these girls I have been giving them pellets and scratch and only one egg

I would suggest dusting them with a good poultry dust, like permethrin, just in case... I've had a mite situation with my chickens once and I couldn't see or feel them, though I looked. Feed them layer pellets and just a little scratch as a treat between meals. Scratch is lovely and chickens really enjoy it, but it's not very nutritious, so it should be fed as a treat only.