Mites?

[Transit1992]

Not really sure, I think that my girl might have mites. I have a small flock of 5 hens. They do free range, and I am a little over the top with cleaning on a daily basis. I have a drawer where their droppings fall when they are perched, I use a kitty litter and scoop it out every day. I also pick up in their run while out free ranging. So today, I cleaned everything out, pine shavings from the floor in the coop, the drawer, the nesting boxes. I sprayed everything down with poultry protector spray, I used coop refresher in the drawer with the kitty litter and used Dust on spray under the nesting boxes. I use the hay squares in the nesting boxes. I also sprayed all the hens with poultry spray, and on my Kali I used a natural poultry wound spray after. Is there anything else I should do? Should I separate her from the others? No one is picking on her. They are all eating normal and their feces is normal. I also didn't put the pine shavings back in the coop, the floor is epoxy. Their waterers are also cleaned weekly, one is 2 gallons with vinegar and I also have a regular water. They also get blueberries, oatmeal, meal worms and scratch while its still chilly. As well as a mixed vegetable with oregano and other items in it. I also overturned the dirt in the run and mixed Little farmer coop right in it. It is a natural poultry dust bath with Redmond clay, diatromaceous earth rosemary etc.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ok, did you actually see mites? If so, when and where (on the roost bar at night, on the chickens themselves during the day)? The hen with the bare butt could be a pest issue or it could be from feather picking by others, hard to say.

 

[Transit1992]

I did not see any mites. She isn't being pecked by anyone. I found something a really small black insect crawling on my arm.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would go through and do a careful check of the entire flock. Part feathers around the vents of each bird and look for tiny pin dots moving around. Check for crusty scabbing on skin as well, which is also a sign of mites (I think that's just poop smears in the chicken photos above?) Also take a paper towel at night and swipe it under the roosts and look for tiny dots or reddish smears. Hopefully you won't find anything moving around since you've already treated.

You will need to treat again in 5 days if you suspect roost mites, 7-10 days if you suspect northern fowl mites.

 

[aart]

I did not see any mites. She isn't being pecked by anyone. I found something a really small black insect crawling on my arm.

Then why treat for them?
There are lots of insects around, very few of them are a danger to poultry.
Best not to panic, but get informed instead.

Chickens need a good balanced ration and plain clean water.
All the fruit/veg/herbs/spices are unnecessary and could reduce their nutrition.

I sprayed everything down with poultry protector spray, I used coop refresher in the drawer with the kitty litter and used Dust on spray under the nesting boxes.

What exactly is this stuff?
I'm guessing none of it would kill mites/lice is you do have them.

It is a natural poultry dust bath with Redmond clay, diatromaceous earth rosemary etc.

Neither will this stuff.

If you do have mites/lice, get some permethrin dust and/or spray.
But first check to be sure you need to treat.


My Bug Check notes:
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008


Also, it would really help to know...
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[cmom]

Most everyone will experience mites or lice eventually. My preferred method of treatment is permethrin. I have tried a lot of different things including DE. It didn't work for me. Some mites only come out at night and feed on the birds so the best time to check is at night after they roost. I use a headlamp so I have both hands free to check the birds over. I agree that you have to first determine if they have any pest before treating. There are many threads on treating for pests such as mites and lice. Good luck...

 

[Transit1992]

I would go through and do a careful check of the entire flock. Part feathers around the vents of each bird and look for tiny pin dots moving around. Check for crusty scabbing on skin as well, which is also a sign of mites (I think that's just poop smears in the chicken photos above?) Also take a paper towel at night and swipe it under the roosts and look for tiny dots or reddish smears. Hopefully you won't find anything moving around since you've already treated.

You will need to treat again in 5 days if you suspect roost mites, 7-10 days if you suspect northern fowl mites.