Lice? Mites? What are these!

[Kawkawkaye]

On several occasions now I’ve spotted a bug of some sort scampering between my hen’s feathers! It’s larger than what I would expect any kind of mite to be - about the length of a fingernail. It was dark coloured. And it was FAST. Zoomed away when I tried to flick it off. I’ve not seen any on my other hens, but the girl in question has impaired eyesight - so possibly I’m thinking she’s been unable to catch it herself, since it is a very grabbable size.

The hen seems untouched - she’s very glossy and feathers all seem healthy. She’s two years old, mixed breed. Living in Australia - weather has been cool and dry lately.

 

[Isadora]

On several occasions now I’ve spotted a bug of some sort scampering between my hen’s feathers! It’s larger than what I would expect any kind of mite to be - about the length of a fingernail. It was dark coloured. And it was FAST. Zoomed away when I tried to flick it off. I’ve not seen any on my other hens, but the girl in question has impaired eyesight - so possibly I’m thinking she’s been unable to catch it herself, since it is a very grabbable size.

The hen seems untouched - she’s very glossy and feathers all seem healthy. She’s two years old, mixed breed. Living in Australia - weather has been cool and dry lately.

Have you done a Google search for poultry lice?

 

[Kawkawkaye]

Have you done a Google search for poultry lice?

Yes, none of the pictures seem to match. What I saw seemed a lot bigger and darker, definitely not the brown/transparent-ish look a google search shows.

 

[Chicalina]

the length of a fingernail? That's a huuuuuge bug!

I was going to suggest fleas but then read your post again. Some sort of beetle? Sounds too big to be a parasite, so maybe it was just nestling in the warmth?

Can you get photos?

 

[Kawkawkaye]

the length of a fingernail? That's a huuuuuge bug!

I was going to suggest fleas but then read your post again. Some sort of beetle? Sounds too big to be a parasite, so maybe it was just nestling in the warmth?

Can you get photos?

Haha yes, every time I visit her I have my phone now, ready, but no luck yet
I think beetle is far off, this thing seemed to be able to scuttle sidewides very nimbly.
I dismissed it the first couple of times too! But I’ve now spotted it several times over the course of weeks, so it seems keen to stick around. Hopefully it’s just freeloading and not doing any damage!

 

[AfiafiAfi]

I think u could give a safe poultry repellent to u know keep the animals safe

 

[RooStar Chicken Gang]

Sounds like a flea..