Just another mite/ molt question...

[Stella and May]

Hi!

So I noticed today that my Buffs are starting to look rather ragged. 2 are losing feathers from the neck and I've noticed thinning in their wings and tail.

I inspected their skin...no lice. One has a pale comb. The hens are about 1.5 years, never had a molt yet. All our hens (4 BO, 3 RI Red) are the same age. We also have 15 pullets and 1 rooster. They are in the same coop, but are separated by age. Only 1 pullet is laying so far, and all my hens have been very productive.

When I was closing up the coop tonight, I took a flashlight to further inspect one of the BO's that has been losing feathers. I did see a few dark, tiny little critters climbing through her feathers. I'm assuming that it is the start of the mites moving in?

By husband just did a thorough cleaning of the coop today and I completely changed out the shavings a few days prior, with a dusting of FGDE. I also applied the DE to the coop/ nesting boxes this afternoon.

So would what you do? a full pest treatment?

Since I already have DE, should I dust all the chickens?

 

[Kiki]

No..throw the DE in the trash it will not kill the mites.
Invest in a cheap bottle of permethrin based spray to treat the coop and birds.

 

[peeper89]

i hear motling make them not feel good. if u see crawlies then put poult dust on them.
here some infomation
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/12/molting-what-is-it-and-how-to-help.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html

 

[Stella and May]

great thanks!