Mites!! Help!

[EKB93]

Hello - we just recently noticed that a few of the chickens we got from a friend about five months back have mites. We noticed that their rear ends are missing some feathers and are red. We got some diatomaceous and put it all around their house hoping it would help and it has not. Today while my bf was holding one of my girls I really started to inspect her (previous owners didn’t handle as much) and noticed how red and how many mites were crawling on her! I want a fast and immediate cure for them but am struggling to find something. Any help with this?

Thanks in advance

Ps. I’m still fairly new to the site, can someone explain how the polls work? I’m not sure I understand.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi, those look like lice eggs that are stuck on the feather shafts. For lice I treat using ivermectin spot on that goes directly on to the bird. I’m afraid DE won’t work to kill the lice. Yes it may deter them but not kill them as such.

You can also put Vaseline on the eggs that are attached to feather shafts. This should help to stop them hatching and also make it easier to remove them.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mites-lice-treatment-and-prevention.64597/

 

[EKB93]

Hi, those look like lice eggs that are stuck on the feather shafts. For lice I treat using ivermectin spot on that goes directly on to the bird. I’m afraid DE won’t work to kill the lice. Yes it may deter them but not kill them as such.

You can also put Vaseline on the eggs that are attached to feather shafts. This should help to stop them hatching and also make it easier to remove them.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mites-lice-treatment-and-prevention.64597/

Thank you so much! I’m gonna run to tractor supply today and get ivermectin

 

[cmom]

I use permethrins. I buy the concentrate and mix it with water. It will kill mites, lice, etc. I spray coops everywhere, ceilings, walls, floors, on and under the roosts, in and all over the nest boxes, all nooks and crannies. I initially sprayed weekly because it doen't kill the eggs. I HAD mites for the first time this year. With repeated spraying I haven't seen any more. I also went in while the birds were roosting and sprayed them initially. Some friends bought some birds that had lice and another got a bird with fleas and they did the spraying too.

 

[cmom]

I get the concentrate permethrin at Tractor Supply.

 

[onaharley]

Just found out mine have mites too. How can one tell if it’s molt or mites? My chickens butts look red like that too.

 

[Folly's place]

Go out to the coop at night, with a flashlight, and inspect several or all your birds at skin level, especially around their vents, on their backs, and necks. Roosters might have more sometimes.
Mites are TINY but visible dark moving specks, Lice are small, but bigger than mites, and move slower.
ONE mite or louse on one bird, and it's time to treat them all.
Permethrin spray is the best! Easy to use, inexpensive, and very effective, with no egg withdrawal after use.
Ivermectin works too, but is unapproved, so avoid it. Also carbaryl, and pet products.
DE is ineffective and bad for anyone to inhale.
Spinosad works but is very expensive!
Mary

 

[onaharley]

Thanks Mary!!