Mites/Lice question

[Mrs.H]

We were given 2 older chickens and roo. We've had them since about November. Ive been reading alot on here about Mites/Lice. How do you know if they have them if you they wont let you pick them up to inspect? They are slowly warming up to us getting closer, attempting to eat out of our hand but back away. We have chicks that are in a dog kennel that I just put in the coop, but now im worried that they may get Mites/Lice if my other chickens have them. So are there any signs I should look for with my older chickens? Should I treat them for it anyway and how to if I cant pick them up just yet? Thanks

 

[Mrs.H]

am I allowed to give my post a bump?

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Sometimes it's easier to take them off the roost at night when they are sleeping. That is when I check mine. Or rather I did till DH put up a roost that I cannot reach. Good luck.

 

[trilyn]

Wait until they're up on the roost for the night. Go out with a flashlight and look through the feathers at the vent end. If you see anything crawling around, make a mental note of what it looks like and then do some research from there. Hope this helps.

 

[Mrs.H]

How can I treat them if I even do find anything. Everything ive read involves picking them up to dust them, is there a dif. way? Thanks

 

[dieselgrl48]

I dust my coop's and birds at LEAST once a year now.I got mites in one coop year before last.So last year when I spring cleaned coop's dusted and dusted bird's.I had a leg mite problem with one bird in 5 years and the sulpher powder/pet.jelly worked on that great.Leg mites seem to be a bigger problem if they are in runs with rain and damp it seem's.I felt so bad about my one coop one or 2 of the bird's actualy showed mites because I was working 10 hour nights at that time and didnt have the time to devote to the usual major clean-ups I had been doing.I plan on some coop cleaning in the next week for some of the newbie birds and will dust again this time for prevenative measure since they have mostly all been non used since last fall.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Here is a helpful thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3977459#p3977459

 

[jrosemoore]

I wouldnt even know what to look for! Who knew chickens could have so many problems?

 

[Mrs.H]

Quote:
I know!

I was able to check one bird, didnt see anything. Dont think they liked me lurking in there while they were sleeping. Is the vent area pretty much the main area the mites/lice would be or just the easiest place to look?