Mites?!

[Chicken lover gal]

My chickens have started aggressively self preening. They’re also looking a bit “shaggy” and one has a bare butt. I checked them about a week ago and didn’t see any. What’s the treatment?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Could they be moulting? How old are they? What part of the world are you in? Do you see mites or lice on your birds? Take a white cloth or paper towel and rub it along the underside of your roosts at night, if it comes off red you have mites. Permethrin is the treatment, you have to treat your coop with the spray and the birds with the powder. Remove all bedding and burn it.

 

[Chicken lover gal]

Could they be moulting? How old are they? What part of the world are you in? Do you see mites or lice on your birds? Take a white cloth or paper towel and rub it along the underside of your roosts at night, if it comes off red you have mites. Permethrin is the treatment, you have to treat your coop with the spray and the birds with the powder. Remove all bedding and burn it.

Thanks for the response! Of course, I asked my question, then in looking at the forum saw it answered in so many ways!!! I BYC!
my chickens are many ages from 1 year olds (3) to older gals (12 year old and one that I inherited that’s got to be 17+)! The 2 older chickens haven’t laid eggs for the past year, but the 3 youngsters are giving me an egg each, almost daily! I noticed the 12 year olds bare butt this spring. Then I recently noticed the 17+ was looking a bit scraggly, esp at her neck. And now I see that one of the youngsters’ comb is floppy! I’m guessing it’s lice as I saw 2 of the youngsters preening themselves A LOT today, and I read that the mites were mainly active at night? Thanks for your help !

I live in the Pacific Northwest.