Mites

[Karenin]

Hi, just recently I saw that one of my chickens has missing feathers around his vent I looked at it and thought I saw a bug. After checking the internet I learned that he probably has mites. Does anyone know how to treat it? Also today I was holding him and just now I saw a small red mite near me. Could they get on me too and if so how do you get rid of mites on humans?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi, just recently I saw that one of my chickens has missing feathers around his vent I looked at it and thought I saw a bug. After checking the internet I learned that he probably has mites. Does anyone know how to treat it? Also today I was holding him and just now I saw a small red mite near me. Could they get on me too and if so how do you get rid of mites on humans?

The link below has good photos of poultry lice and mites.
You can find permethrin based poultry sprays/dusts at stores like TSC.
Treat your all your birds and their housing in 7 day intervals. Poultry lice/mites could get on you and bite/cause irritation, but you are not their host, so they should not stay long.
After treating your birds and doing your clean-out/treatment of housing, launder your clothes and get a shower, you should be fine.

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

You may see similar items like these in your store, they can be used to treat birds and housing.

 

[cmom]

If you use the concentrate, I have had the best luck with the 0.50% solution. Here is a chart made by another BYC member for permethrin.

 

[aart]

I noticed my Polish is losing quite a few feathers and flicking his head and tonight he was like a dog with fleas going at the tip end of his back above tail feathers.
I tried looking but I can't tell.
So if I get this really expensive

Elector PSP Premise Spray​

how do I spray it on the chicks (7 wks old) without getting it in their eyes/faces?
Is there a recommended sprayer to use for both the coop/run and chicks?

First make sure they have bugs....and what kind.
7 week old birds may be going thru a juvenile molt.
The oil gland is at the base of tail, they use that when preening.

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

 

[Karenin]

The link below has good photos of poultry lice and mites.
You can find permethrin based poultry sprays/dusts at stores like TSC.
Treat your all your birds and their housing in 7 day intervals. Poultry lice/mites could get on you and bite/cause irritation, but you are not their host, so they should not stay long.
After treating your birds and doing your clean-out/treatment of housing, launder your clothes and get a shower, you should be fine.

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

You may see similar items like these in your store, they can be used to treat birds and housing.
View attachment 2719020View attachment 2719021View attachment 2719022

Thank you for the help! That article had a lot of good info!

 

[aart]

It kinda looks like the quill...is that what it is called that the feather grows up out of?

Definitely looks like a quill....and is....kinda.
Usually called Pin Feathers.

New feathers growing in can be itchy business,
lots of preening or scratching where the beak won't reach.

 

[aart]

Do I need to put out anything to prevent mites n lice coming? Proactive rather than reactive as I have been itching ever since I read up on these things!

No!
Best not to use insecticides preventatively, it can cause resistance....
....then they might not work if and when you really need them.

Keeping wild birds and rodents out of your coop and run is the best preventative.
..and do a bug check regularly.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

I noticed my Polish is losing quite a few feathers and flicking his head and tonight he was like a dog with fleas going at the tip end of his back above tail feathers.
I tried looking but I can't tell.
So if I get this really expensive

Elector PSP Premise Spray​

how do I spray it on the chicks (7 wks old) without getting it in their eyes/faces?
Is there a recommended sprayer to use for both the coop/run and chicks?

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

First make sure they have bugs....and what kind.
7 week old birds may be going thru a juvenile molt.
The oil gland is at the base of tail, they use that when preening.

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

Ok thank u @aart for the details- I needed that help most definitely

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

First make sure they have bugs....and what kind.
7 week old birds may be going thru a juvenile molt.
The oil gland is at the base of tail, they use that when preening.

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

Ok @aart I got them all looked over as best I could. I didn't see anything that I could tell. They are all scratching. I didnt see anything crawling in coop. I will do the smear test on boards in them for the red fowl mites as you suggested.
I've been wondering what these were on my blue silkie's head and neck as well as the standing white silkie in 2nd pic...is this possibly molting? It kinda looks like the quill...is that what it is called that the feather grows up out of?