Marans Thread - breed discussion & pictures are welcome!

[snowbird]

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Wynette, what do you use for mites on your flock, some are not strong enough. The mite that is untreatable is similar to the northern Fowl mite and is usually in the tail feathers.

 

[pinkchick]

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Wynette, from what I understand the Quill mites are VERY RARE. I find it hard to believe that you would have that problem.
I hope nobody does...gosh the only way to eradicate Quill mites is culling and incineration of everything. That would be very sad.

In the photo of that link that you posted it looks like the feathers have been plucked like Don said and that it is highly irritated and possible starting to infect. I'm not certain that it is absolutely attributed to mites though, doesn't look at hard and crusty like scaly leg mites tends to look, looks like it is just being pecked ALOT, thus a cycle of not getting it to heal and causing the mass of irritation. We all know that chicken beaks and feet are not necessarily germ free. But what is the root of the problem? Can't be just because he doesn't like his shank feathering.
Not that I am advocate for this because I don't like to use antibiotics unless absolutely necessary, but I wonder what an injection of Tylan 50 for 3 days would do??? It would certainly clear up any infection that may be happening, which would definitely feel better and maybe they would stop picking at it so that one could see what it looks like with out being so irritated, red and swollen. Just my thoughts out loud, trying to think outside of the box.

I hope the other folks and you with birds that have this issue going on find some relief for their chookies and some peace of mind for themselves. I can certainly understand why it would be very frustrating.

 

[Wynette]

Hey Don - I use Ivermec Eprinex, twice yearly, and inspect often. I have had two northern fowl mite infestations (I do freerange my flocks, so once was likely due to the wild bird population as they tend to follow the chooks around when I let them out). The other time, I'd gotten a small load of straw in, and there were mites in the straw. I'd already used it in my runs (it was early spring and muddy) and realized the next day, when going to bed another run, that the straw had mites. Threw down several flakes and looked at my coat and ACK! MITES! Anyway, those were difficult to erradicate, but since then, crossed fingers, I haven't had the issue (that's when I began doing the Eprinex twice yearly).

Pink, I dunno if I'm ready to try Tylan 50, at least on my boy. I don't have any to start with, and mine isn't nearly as bad as this other members....BUT - someone brought up a good point. Since it's ALWAYS with roosters, NEVER with hens, could it possibly be a testosterone issue?

 

[stoopid]

What about collagen, or whatever makes the combs. Isn't that similar to the feather shaft material?

 

[snowbird]

Wynette, You probably already know this but Oat straw has a mite, Oat straw does not. When using straw for animals never use Oat straw. I believe there is an article in the Mercks veterinary manual.


The male being infected like it is is caused by the male picking at the leg feathers , I have always assumed it was from mites embedding in the shank. If you coat your roost poles with a 50 % Malathion mixture you will not have any of this.

 

[Wynette]

Don, the Ivermec Eprinex kills all external and most internal parasites, I'm 100% certain it's not a parasite.

The first time around when the other rooster had it, I DID think that perhaps there was just a picking issue, especially since it was just the one bird. I separated him, though, treated him again for parasites, even did a dusting of poultry dust as another preventative to make doubly SURE he didn't have any parasites externally, and he never did heal up. I did not do the Hibiclens/Virkon treatment that has been suggested by a friend very knowledgeable in poultry medical issues, frankly, because I just don't have a ton of extra time. But, now that I have another boy with the issue, I'm going to try it with him and see if it makes a difference. I have a nice breeder cage that my hubby built for me that'll work perfectly for this.

 

[stoopid]

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Ok, so which is it, oat straw, or...
What year Mercks?

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
Ok, so which is it, oat straw, or...
What year Mercks?

Wheat straw is the one to avoid due to it having mites.

 

[stoopid]

Thank you!

 

[pinkchick]

Some of the kidz...............and no, none of them have dark eyes, but the photos may make them look like they do. These girls are in with Lil' Bill.

A Blue Copper Davis girl, the only pure Davis pullet that I will be keeping from any of this years hatches. She has one copper hackle feather.

I believe she just might have started laying...I found a new pullet egg yesterday in that coop and she is the only one that hadn't started yet.

A Blue Copper pullet from Bill and one of Bill's 1st gen. daughters who doesn't show any copper at all, but this gal has copper, it is just pretty dark and very hard to see. I tried to get a photo of her hackles that would show the copper tinge...can you all see it in the 2nd pic?

This is another Bill girl, but from a Davis Blue Copper hen. She also has very dark copper, I think you can see it in the 2nd pic.

One of the Bill girls from above is laying this egg....just don't know which one it is. Bailey thinks he is going to get a treat....not! Silly dog.

Can't stop myself from sharing some pictures of Lil' Bill. Sorry.

I love how broad he is.

Some more of the ladies....and a rare glimpse of my Splash girl, she is a sweetie, but she does not like it when I have the camera. If I put the camera away she will come around.