Mite/lice ridden hen- sick and suffering- what to do?

[WildChild283]

I recently adopted a mixed age flock after years of having no chickens. Some of the hens are much older and I accepted the position of letting these hens live out their lives with us… I also purchased some pullets to add to the flock, so there are young healthy birds and old, sort of sickly birds…. some of the old ones came looking tired and old, one had really damaged feathers and swollen feet. I am realizing now (after 2 months) that these chickens probably have mites.

The past few days one of the older hens has been isolating herself, laying in a corner, head is kind of floating back and forth, eyes mostly shut… can’t walk. Her breast bone is super prominent and well… boney. I was surprised she was alive this morning as I thought she was dying. She’s a small bird but seems extra tiny. She was hobbling and wobbly the last time I saw her up and about and now she definitely can’t walk. This morning she drank when I put her beak in some water.

I’m not sure if I should cull this hen or try to help her. I obviously need to treat the whole flock and coop for mites…. Is this typical of a mite infestation? Or could it be something else?

What would you do?

 

[GodLovesU]

Can you actually see any mites on the birds?

 

[WildChild283]

Can you actually see any mites on the birds?

Yes. After close inspection today I see LOTs of mites on the little lady. I haven’t checked the other birds but plan to tonight.

 

[GodLovesU]

Permethrin powder is great and really simple treatment for mites.Her health might be declining for other reasons however.Does she have any other symptoms?

 

[WildChild283]

Permethrin powder is great and really simple treatment for mites.Her health might be declining for other reasons however.Does she have any other symptoms?

Yes she was wobbly and limping with no obvious injuries, now she can’t stand. Her head is rocking back and forth. She was in the corner of the coop with her head in the corner looking like she gave up on life.

 

[Barnette]

Poor thing. What does her poop look like?

 

[GodLovesU]

It might just be old age

 

[WildChild283]

Poor thing. What does her poop look like?

She has yellow poop crusted on her bum feathers. I haven’t seen any weird poops around the coop or pen area.

 

[WildChild283]

It might just be old age

That’s what I was thinking until I saw the mites. I was going to cull her so she’s not suffering, but came here for advice first.

 

[Eggcessive]

Mites can kill after making them extremely anemic. Permethrin garden dust or the ready to use horse spray will treat them if used every 7 days at least twice. The other chickens, coop, nests, and roosts will need to be treated as well with new bedding added. She could have something else going on as well, and cancer, reproductive problems, or crop disorders are some common things to worry about. I would offer some electrolytes or sugar water in a small cup up to her beak, and offer wet chicken feed and egg as well. She could be very weak or dehydrated. Poop pictures may help. Check her crop in the morning to see if it has emptied overnight.