Mites?

[TinyRaptorDodos]

I noticed my new pullet has been getting her head soaked both nights since she’s been here so I took her to dry her off and I noticed a lot of dirt but on close inspection I saw one bug crawling on her scalp and I think her skin looks irritated? She’s been acting completely fine, no pain or anything, could it have been a fruit fly? Or is it mites?

I didn’t think of this I just hurried to get her bathed in Diatomaceous earth so it’s harder to see now and she doesn’t hold still
Now that I think about it she has been shaking her head a lot but I thought that was due to the wet hair, she is also yawning a lot

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Poor thing!
I'd make sure to wipe her face and nostrils off really well so she can breath. Let her go outside so she can shake really well to get all the excess dust off so none of you are breathing it.

DE is not an effective treatment against mites. I'd use a Permethrin based poultry dust or spray. Since the mites seem to be on her crest, you may want to use the spray (liquid) but use a small syringe to draw a bit of the liquid up and carefully apply a couple of drops on her head working the liquid into the skin and feathers.

Remember to spritz the spray under her wings, under the vent, etc. too .

 

[nuthatched]

Diotomatious Earth is completely useless for mites, lice and genera chicken pests. It's also horrible for both you and your chickens to breathe. Get some permrethrine poultry dust or spray and use that.

 

[TinyRaptorDodos]

Poor thing!
I'd make sure to wipe her face and nostrils off really well so she can breath. Let her go outside so she can shake really well to get all the excess dust off so none of you are breathing it.

DE is not an effective treatment against mites. I'd use a Permethrin based poultry dust or spray. Since the mites seem to be on her crest, you may want to use the spray (liquid) but use a small syringe to draw a bit of the liquid up and carefully apply a couple of drops on her head working the liquid into the skin and feathers.

Remember to spritz the spray under her wings, under the vent, etc. too .

I’ll see if I can find that spray before work tomorrow, DE is what I use for a prevention treatment but not as a proper treatment.. I’ve never dealt with bugs so I have no clue what to do for it, I moved her back out because she’s more stressed away from The flock and the flock has already been exposed to it if that’s actually what it is… I don’t know though she stopped itching and the bug I saw was the size of a fruit fly, my friend (who studied chickens for awhile) said the yellow things could be nits and Babs is odd… she’s a very agressive eater and dunks her entire head in the water when she drinks

 

[Folly's place]

Your coop and entire flock have these things now, so get the spray concentrate if possible, so you can properly treat the coop and all the birds. The permethrin dust works fine on the birds, but won't effectively get into all the walls of the coop.
And wear at least an N95 face mask and long sleeves and pants when you treat everyone!
Mary

 

[TinyRaptorDodos]

Your coop and entire flock have these things now, so get the spray concentrate if possible, so you can properly treat the coop and all the birds. The permethrin dust works fine on the birds, but won't effectively get into all the walls of the coop.
And wear at least an N95 face mask and long sleeves and pants when you treat everyone!
Mary

I did not know mites could get into wood, that’s a very good thing to know.

What are the long sleeves and mask for? I read that humans cannot get lice or mites from chickens and neither can other species of animals

 

[Folly's place]

It's about keeping the insecticide off you!
Mary