Mites??? Lice??? Help!!!

[JennyPatty84]

I brought one of my roosters into the basement for a few days because he wasn’t feeling well, and while holding him I noticed some creepy crawlies on him. Ugh! I’ve had my chickens for a year and this is the first time I’ve seen any parasites so this is new to me. I don’t know if they are mites or lice or both, so I’m hoping you can help! Here is what I do know:

- chicken coop gets cleaned every week - I haven’t seen any bugs in there (that’s not to say there isn’t any though!)

- it looks like some of the parasites on him are black and some are clear. There is also what looks like grey eggs on the base of his feathers

- I had someone recommended Cydectin, so I did order some of that and put a few drops on the skin under his wing.

My questions!
1. Will Cydectin kill everything?
2. If not, what should I use?
3. How should I treat the coop, if at all?
4. Is there a way to prevent this in the future?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like mites. I like a good pyrethrin based poultry dust. I dust birds and any cracks in the coop, especially the roosts.

Many times an unwell bird will overrun with parasites because they aren't dust bathing as they should.