Mites? Fleas? And now a hawk?

[goldeneggtees]

Hi all, this is from my prior post about my hens droopy comb.

Upon closer inspection, I see little, tiny, blackish/brownish spots all over their feathers in the tail area and down the feathers.

All my chickens itch quite a bit. Me included sometimes and my dog was recently treated for fleas with frontline. Do you think this is flea poop that they have on them or are they mites? I do not see mites on their vent area, that looks clean.

Can mites bite me as well as them? What might be going on here?

I have to tell ya, this chicken thing wasn't as easy as I thought!…

One of my birdies has been laying her eggs under the coop so yesterday we buttoned up the area so they don't get under there. I did one side and now I find the same hen has found her way under it from the other side (pretty clever as it's a huge coop) and she's under it just now trying to get out by poking her head through the lattice again and again.

They are driving me crazy right now with all the added stress and worry!

Did I mention that we are also having a problem with rats? We now have rat poison out in the little black bait boxes and those are hidden under the coop to where I thought the chickens couldn't gain access. I was told again and again by the exterminator that the chickens cannot get their heads into the hole and around to the bait stations but now that's a constant worry too. But having rats isn't an option either. I'm getting tired!

 

[Imp]

Here's a link with some info about mites and lice. Hope it helps. Yes they can bite you but are not going to live on you.

Hens can be pretty determined to lay where they want. Is it a problem for them to lay under the coop? If not I wouldn't worry about it. You could try golf balls in the nests to encourage them to use the nests.

There is a recipe on her using plaster of paris, peanut butter and oil to kill rats. It permanently blocks rats up and kills them. You still don't want chickens eating it, but you don't have to worry about the rat bodies poisoning other animals. Try searching for that recipe if you think it will help.


http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

Good luck,

Imp

 

[goldeneggtees]

Thanks Imp for the info, I'll check it out the link.

Just wanted to let you know I was siting in their run whilst my pullets were free ranging just now and the one I was inspecting jumped off of me like a lunatic. I look over and see a huge hawk swooping down and flying away with my little pullet Baby Bad Wings's feathers in it's talons. They were all understandably upset over this but I thank god the hawk didn't get away with one. I think this same hawk tried on Sunday morning as well to take one of the"ladies". It's getting really frustrating.

 

[goldeneggtees]

Hi Imp, the problem with her laying under the coop is that I can't reach her eggs underneath it and there they will stay and there will rot or get eaten by the rats.