Mites? What do I do?

[Csj5]

 

[sloanbychoice]

Hard to say with only one pic; we’ll need some info, and it’s a good idea to learn how to check them.
Missing or broken feathers can be caused by lots of things. First, I’ll say that, given the area, and the limited ability to see the area, that looks more like a behavior issue. But, it could be several things.
There are two kinds of mites that very commonly affect chickens. Northern Fowl mites and Red roost mites. They literally take blood from the chickens.
You can check for mites by parting the feathers near the vent and behind the wings to check for tiny dark mites scattering about, or by taking a clean paper towel and wiping the underside of your roosts. If there are red blood smears, that’s from mites. When checking the birds’ bodies, sometimes it’s best to do it at night with a flashlight.
There are also poultry lice. Check for them on the bird much the same way. You may see nits attached to the base of the feathers.
Another cause for missing feathers is behavior. Plucking feathers from each other can be from crowding, fighting, protein deficiency, among other things.
If you find you need to treat for mites or lice, elector psp is one of the best products on the market, with no egg withdrawal. One treatment usually takes care of it. Permethrin is another good one, and a lot cheaper. Do not use it around cats, and you’ll have to do a follow up treatment.

 

[Csj5]

Hard to say with only one pic; we’ll need some info, and it’s a good idea to learn how to check them.
Missing or broken feathers can be caused by lots of things. First, I’ll say that, given the area, and the limited ability to see the area, that looks more like a behavior issue. But, it could be several things.
There are two kinds of mites that very commonly affect chickens. Northern Fowl mites and Red roost mites. They literally take blood from the chickens.
You can check for mites by parting the feathers near the vent and behind the wings to check for tiny dark mites scattering about, or by taking a clean paper towel and wiping the underside of your roosts. If there are red blood smears, that’s from mites. When checking the birds’ bodies, sometimes it’s best to do it at night with a flashlight.
There are also poultry lice. Check for them on the bird much the same way. You may see nits attached to the base of the feathers.
Another cause for missing feathers is behavior. Plucking feathers from each other can be from crowding, fighting, protein deficiency, among other things.
If you find you need to treat for mites or lice, elector psp is one of the best products on the market, with no egg withdrawal. One treatment usually takes care of it. Permethrin is another good one, and a lot cheaper. Do not use it around cats, and you’ll have to do a follow up treatment.

Thank you. I will wipe down the roosts tomorrow to check for blood. As far as I can see this is my only chicken with an issue, my girls free range all day on .3 acre and I only have 5. This girl hasn’t missed a single day laying an egg since she started July 24. Good diet, organic pellets, black oil sunflower seeds and mealworms as treats. I have seen small bugs in the henhouse when I clean it weekly and have been dusting the hens and henhouse with diatomaceous. Will visit Tractor Supply tomorrow to find elector psp or permethrin. Are these dusts or sprays?

 

[sloanbychoice]

Elector is a liquid concentrate, and most people buy it online. I’m now sure if it’s in stores.
Permethrin comes in the same, or in a powder.