Mites/Lice How do I know?

[KingR0o5t3r]

I regularly look under my birds feathers in various spots on their bodies for these external paasites but i know they are tiny so how do i know its bugs and not dead skin cells( which are almost always on all poultry). I spotted some little whit stuff up a few centimeters on a feather on one of the girls today and im not sure about it...

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

At three weeks old they get some dandruff. How old are yours?

http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html
this link has pics

Please note sevin dust is no longer labeled for poultry (though it worked very well)- permethrin dust is sold in feed stores now as poultry dust.

 

[KingR0o5t3r]

They are a little more than 4 months. I Bought some DE (diatomaceous earth) today for this sort of thing, so i think that'll do the job if it is mites or lice

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

They are a little more than 4 months. I Bought some DE (diatomaceous earth) today for this sort of thing, so i think that'll do the job if it is mites or lice

Well they do have mini molts as they grow which can cause some dandruff. Mostly the way I tell if my chickens have bugs is I feel itchy and get bitten myself by the mites. I haven't dealt with lice. DE is a preventative. If you actually see bugs I'd recommend chemicals. Sounds like it could just be dandruff.

DE would be a good option at this point. Also woodstove ashes, if you have any.

 

[KingR0o5t3r]

alright thanks for the help

 

[casportpony]

They are a little more than 4 months. I Bought some DE (diatomaceous earth) today for this sort of thing, so i think that'll do the job if it is mites or lice

DE did not work for me.

 

[casportpony]

Well they do have mini molts as they grow which can cause some dandruff. Mostly the way I tell if my chickens have bugs is I feel itchy and get bitten myself by the mites. I haven't dealt with lice. DE is a preventative. If you actually see bugs I'd recommend chemicals. Sounds like it could just be dandruff.

DE would be a good option at this point. Also woodstove ashes, if you have any.

Mites bite, lice do not.

 

[casportpony]

Lice:
http://www.google.com/search?q=chic...QGe2oCQBQ&sqi=2&ved=0CCsQsAQ&biw=1479&bih=867

Mites:
http://www.google.com/search?q=chic...67afc5cc35b45d&bpcl=39468505&biw=1479&bih=867

Treatment:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/y-tex-reg-gardstar-reg-garden-poultry-dust-shaker-can-2-lb--2204294

 

[casportpony]

 

[KingR0o5t3r]

okay thankyou, i dont think its parasites...