Matted dirt under wings

[Fjb6673]

Our 2 red sex link hens have damp matted dirt under their wings. You really can't see it unless you pick them up and lift their wings. Just wondering if this is normal? We have had some rain recently, so maybe they took a dirt bath when it was wet/damp? Has anyone else seen this on their hens? Thanks

 

[Eggcessive]

Inspect the skin carefully for signs of mites. One type only comes out onto the chickens at night in the dark, so looking then with a flashlight may be a good idea. Mite dirt is dark, where lice eggs can look whie or gray. Permethrin and Sevin dust are good for treatment of both, but the coop, nests, and roosts also will need treating, as well as replacing bedding if you find lice or mites. Here are some good links to read about mites and lice:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig140
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8162.pdf