Lice or Mite Infestation

[Clar-Clar_42]

Hi wonderful folks. Yesterday when I went out to feed my younger flock first, I noticed my tiniest silkie looking like she had missing feathers, then I noticed another or my chicks also had missing breast feathers. I checked them and to my horror I fear it is a lice or mite infestation . I am new to raising chickens in the U.S but grew up with my grandparents who raised them for meat and eggs.

I have had my older flock for about 3 years and never experienced anything like this. See images attached

 

[Clar-Clar_42]

I must add, I bought Poultry Protector to begin treatment vs Ivermectin since they are younger birds. Would appreciate any advice and additional recommendations

 

[DonyaQuick]

Those look to me like new feathers coming in, some of which may have been damaged a bit. Oddly timed molt perhaps? I don't offhand see anything that looks indicative of lice or mites, just new feather growth. How old is the bird in the picture?

 

[Clar-Clar_42]

Those look to me like new feathers coming in, some of which may have been damaged a bit. Oddly timed molt perhaps? I don't offhand see anything that looks indicative of lice or mites, just new feather growth. How old is the bird in the picture?

She is roughly 7weeks-ish. I didn’t take any pics of my silkie but it’s what made me think lice/mites. She is the runt of the ones hatched and listening to her earlier she sounded like she had some respiratory issues going on.

 

[DonyaQuick]

Additional pictures of the other affected bird would help a lot.

For lice, you should be able to see bugs running on the skin or egg masses at the base of the feathers, usually near the vent. Mites will look like tiny gray, red, or black dots on the skin under the feathers, sometimes on the feathers near the skin.