Mites?

[Chillicothechick]

Several of our chickens that are over a year old have lost their feathers on the back part of their backs. Their skin gets really red (I think other chicks see it and peck at it). We have painted them, but it has been going on for so long, we are not sure if there is something else we should be doing or not. I don't see anything, but I know mites are really small. How can I tell if mites are the cause?

Is anybody else having this problem? If so, how did you handle it?

Thanks for your help.


Melody

 

[jbowen9]

Do you have a rooster with them?

 

[Chillicothechick]

Nope.

 

[aberfitch]

look at the vent for about 2 minutes.. ruffel feathers every 15 sec and look .. if you have good vision you can see the tiny mites running around. clear , tan ,or brown is their colors.. they run like fleas but 1/4 the size

 

[Judy]

Since they are over a year old it is highly likely they have at least some mites. Sevin dust is the surest treatment. You have to re-treat in 10 to 14 days to get the hatched eggs. DE may help prevent infestation.

You might also consider crowding as a possible cause or contributing factor. And once the pecking starts, it is difficult to stop without isolation, especially if they do not have a large place to run around.

Good luck!

 

[Chillicothechick]

Our chicks have a fairly large place to roam, so I don't think space is the issue. Is the Sevin Dust the same stuff that you use in a garden? We have some stuff called Sevin-10, do you know if that's the same thing?

We've looked at the chickens and can't see anything moving, but I can't think of any other reason for the other chickens to peck all of their feathers off......

 

[mypicklebird]

Only on their backs? Sure you don't have a rooster hiding in there, or one coming to visit?

 

[norcal]

Does ash help prevent the mites too? I'd rather not use DE (no flames please).

 

[charmed one]

Chillocothechick, How are your chickens? The same thing is happening to my birds. They are a year old and looking the same as yours. Did you treat your birds? What did you use?