Just lost hen....she had bugs in her feathers

[SamG347]

My favorite hen my only Buff Orp just passed away at the age of 4 years. I notices she had little orange what looked like beetles in her feathers when I examined her body.....are these mites? I treat with DE but I dont know if it is working.
Thanks!

 

[Guitartists]

So sorry you lost your favorite hen

Google "red mite" for images, that will give you an idea if that is what you were seeing. I use DE also, but when it wears off, I think the bugs are right back. Going to invest in a topical this next spring.

 

[SamG347]

No...I dont think they are mites now that I think of it...I checked every bird none of them have them. I think they were beetles that must have crawled onto her when she died...I was working all morning so Idk how long she was dead.
She will be missed dearly....
RIP BUFFY

 

[Jenski]

You have already checked the hens, but you may want to take a flashlight out to the coop at night, maybe even place your hand in the litter and move it around, and check for parasites in the coop, coop walls, bedding, etc. Many of the mites descend on chickens at night, and aren't resident on the hen at all times.

Hope that helps. It is always possible your girl had another issue that compromised her health, and just made her more susceptible to the bugs. And as you said, it's also possible they got on her afterwards.

And most importantly ~ I am very sorry about your loss.