Mites? Lice? How do I treat!

[OneSweetWorld]

Mites/Lice..etc.
I am assuming some of my hens have mites since they are losing feathers around thier neck and bottom area. I cannot visibly see them so I am not sure what exactly they are or if they are depluming. I have a few that look pretty bad. At first I thought it was a molt, but I am guessing now it's not. (the one pictured is the worst and I have her separated now)


What would be the right course of treatment. I would like to do this once since we have to obviously pull bedding out..etc.

What do you reccomend spraying in the coop to cover any possible mite or lice?
My plan is to pick up a sprayer today to be able to spray the entire inside of the coop after we empty it, but I was hoping to find something that might encompass different kinds of mites or lice
Bird treatment?
And obviously we are treating the coop but what about the run?

Would really appreciate any help from someone who has gone through this and had a successful treatment course so we don't waste money/time and I'd like to get these ladies better.

 

[GlicksChicks]

The spray sounds like it could be good. I would also spread some diatemacious earth around the coop and run (if they are enclosed in a run).

Diatemacious earth cuts into the bodies of things like mites and will dry them out, killing them.

Make sure there are no chickens around when you spread it because it is very powdery and can cause respiratory irritant while in the air.

I would also recommend mixing some of the diatemacious earth with some dirt so when they dust bathe, they will get the mite killing earth all over them. The diatemacious earth is safe for chicken consumption so don't worry about it when they clean themselves.

 

[OneSweetWorld]

Thank you!!! I am heading out now to do that. They have a dust bath area and I do have DE!
For any other treatment I was planning on doing it over the weekend since I have to pick up new hemp bedding and whatever other supplies.

 

[GlicksChicks]

Thank you!!! I am heading out now to do that. They have a dust bath area and I do have DE!
For any other treatment I was planning on doing it over the weekend since I have to pick up new hemp bedding and whatever other supplies.

Of course! I hope it works!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My plan is to pick up a sprayer today to be able to spray the entire inside of the coop after we empty it, but I was hoping to find something that might encompass different kinds of mites or lice
Bird treatment?

Permethrin 10.. (or other permethrin based product) found on the equine isle at TSC is effective in my location and affordable while also being easy to use, skip the DE.. as it creates micro cuts that cannot be helping her irritated skin. DE does not work AT all in MY location against parasites.. or under humid conditions. It's also not welcome here.

I almost wonder.. with all that junk in her trunk.. is she having some ascites or other conditions going on.

Permethrin is also labeled for use on poultry and does not require any egg withdrawal when used according to directions. It comes under different brand names and in different concentrations from ready to use or must dilute in another container.

Depluming mites if that was it.. would need to be treated with something systemic (like ivermectin) rather than topical.

Separating is not a wise idea.. as re-integration can be havoc and all are already exposed to anything the others have. Plus it adds extra stress to the separated bird which does not help the immune system fight off whatever is actually going on.. just my suggestions for maintaining flock dynamics.

Please note that some broken or missing feathers may not come back until molt does happen.. Skin condition should see marked improvement though!

 

[nuthatched]

X2 d.e won't help if your humidity is over 40%, it also can irrate skin and the respiratory system and is a product of strip mining so it's not environmentally friendly.

 

[OneSweetWorld]

Permethrin 10.. (or other permethrin based product) found on the equine isle at TSC is effective in my location and affordable while also being easy to use, skip the DE.. as it creates micro cuts that cannot be helping her irritated skin. DE does not work AT all in MY location against parasites.. or under humid conditions. It's also not welcome here.

I almost wonder.. with all that junk in her trunk.. is she having some ascites or other conditions going on.

Permethrin is also labeled for use on poultry and does not require any egg withdrawal when used according to directions. It comes under different brand names and in different concentrations from ready to use or must dilute in another container.

Depluming mites if that was it.. would need to be treated with something systemic (like ivermectin) rather than topical.

Separating is not a wise idea.. as re-integration can be havoc and all are already exposed to anything the others have. Plus it adds extra stress to the separated bird which does not help the immune system fight off whatever is actually going on.. just my suggestions for maintaining flock dynamics.

Please note that some broken or missing feathers may not come back until molt does happen.. Skin condition should see marked improvement though!

Permethrin 10.. (or other permethrin based product) found on the equine isle at TSC is effective in my location and affordable while also being easy to use, skip the DE.. as it creates micro cuts that cannot be helping her irritated skin. DE does not work AT all in MY location against parasites.. or under humid conditions. It's also not welcome here.

I almost wonder.. with all that junk in her trunk.. is she having some ascites or other conditions going on.

Permethrin is also labeled for use on poultry and does not require any egg withdrawal when used according to directions. It comes under different brand names and in different concentrations from ready to use or must dilute in another container.

Depluming mites if that was it.. would need to be treated with something systemic (like ivermectin) rather than topical.

Separating is not a wise idea.. as re-integration can be havoc and all are already exposed to anything the others have. Plus it adds extra stress to the separated bird which does not help the immune system fight off whatever is actually going on.. just my suggestions for maintaining flock dynamics.

Please note that some broken or missing feathers may not come back until molt does happen.. Skin condition should see marked improvement though!

thank you! I was worried it was depluming mites since I can't see them. I know we have red mites in the area because I see them on the concrete near our barn.

I am going to try to treat with permethrin then. I am assuming that would take care of everything except the depluming ones?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I am assuming some of my hens have mites since they are losing feathers around thier neck and bottom area.

I almost wonder.. with all that junk in her trunk.. is she having some ascites or other conditions going on.

I agree, if you feel mites/lice are a problem, then using Permethrin is the best route to take.

You don't mention if you have a rooster and how many hens you have nor how much space in your coop/run (sq ft).

The hen's bottom in the photo looks to be mostly plucked. Do you have photos of the others and the loss around the necks?
Plucking can be due to boredom sometimes, observe and see who is doing to picking.

I also agree this hen looks to have a droopy abdomen. Since it's not covered with feathers, it can look more pronounced, but I too would consider that she may have something going on with some fluid and/or reproductive problems are starting to show up.

The biggest concern I see at this time is the broken tissue/skin. Likely this is from pressure if there's fluid and picking/plucking.
Watch that area very closely to see that it closes up. If it doesn't or gets worse, then treat as an open wound. Right now, it doesn't look like it necessarily needs treatment, but this can go south in a hurry. Look at it daily to make sure there's no maggots, weeping, etc.

 

[OneSweetWorld]

I agree, if you feel mites/lice are a problem, then using Permethrin is the best route to take.

You don't mention if you have a rooster and how many hens you have nor how much space in your coop/run (sq ft).

The hen's bottom in the photo looks to be mostly plucked. Do you have photos of the others and the loss around the necks?
Plucking can be due to boredom sometimes, observe and see who is doing to picking.

I also agree this hen looks to have a droopy abdomen. Since it's not covered with feathers, it can look more pronounced, but I too would consider that she may have something going on with some fluid and/or reproductive problems are starting to show up.

The biggest concern I see at this time is the broken tissue/skin. Likely this is from pressure if there's fluid and picking/plucking.
Watch that area very closely to see that it closes up. If it doesn't or gets worse, then treat as an open wound. Right now, it doesn't look like it necessarily needs treatment, but this can go south in a hurry. Look at it daily to make sure there's no maggots, weeping, etc.

View attachment 3849985

Ive attached some more pics of the other birds where they are losing feathers. This morning I saw them trying to pluck some feathers as well.

I picked up new bedding and permethrin. My concern is that if it's not the right type of mite treatment then we have to swap out hte bedding again. etc.

For using permethrin, what route should we go. Obviously emptying, spraying the coop and applying to them?

 

[OneSweetWorld]

Ive attached some more pics of the other birds where they are losing feathers. This morning I saw them trying to pluck some feathers as well.

I picked up new bedding and permethrin. My concern is that if it's not the right type of mite treatment then we have to swap out hte bedding again. etc.

For using permethrin, what route should we go. Obviously emptying, spraying the coop and applying to them?

Also would certain mites cause certain patterns on the feathers missing and would we be able to see the mites?