I have four Buff Orpington hens who will be two on Sunday. For a while, I've been noticing that a couple had some feathers missing below their vent area, but I really didn't give it much thought. The other night while they were roaming the yard, I noticed that three have this, and one of the three looks quite red. Does this sound like it could be mites? I don't suspect that the fourth one is pecking, because they've all always gotten along, and I believe the 4th one is pretty low on the pecking order.
I know the basic questions that will help, so here's their stats:
They eat a good-quality balanced layer feed (Blue Seal), they get table scraps of meat and veggies at least once a week, they get let out several hours a week to forage in the leaves or lawn for bugs.
They get a small cup (you know the paper bathroom-sized cups? 3 oz I think) of scratch every morning. (One cup split among 4 birds.)
They have free choice grit and oyster shells.
Coop is 3'x6' 18 sq ft. with an attached enclosed run with 48 sq ft.
Everyone has always gotten along.
Laying has been pretty crappy lately... but we've also gotten into some nasty heat this week.
The coop does need to be cleaned, I plan on doing that this weekend hopefully. I use the deep litter method with pine shavings.
Does it sound like this can be mites? I can't see anything actually on them, but I don't know how visible mites are to the naked eye.
What's the best treatment course for this? Can someone instruct me on what to buy and how to do it? I know it's probably a powder... should I dust the chickens with it while they are out, and then what should I do to clean the coop? Will removing the old shavings and doing a good sweep-out be enough?
Thanks!
I know the basic questions that will help, so here's their stats:
They eat a good-quality balanced layer feed (Blue Seal), they get table scraps of meat and veggies at least once a week, they get let out several hours a week to forage in the leaves or lawn for bugs.
They get a small cup (you know the paper bathroom-sized cups? 3 oz I think) of scratch every morning. (One cup split among 4 birds.)
They have free choice grit and oyster shells.
Coop is 3'x6' 18 sq ft. with an attached enclosed run with 48 sq ft.
Everyone has always gotten along.
Laying has been pretty crappy lately... but we've also gotten into some nasty heat this week.
The coop does need to be cleaned, I plan on doing that this weekend hopefully. I use the deep litter method with pine shavings.
Does it sound like this can be mites? I can't see anything actually on them, but I don't know how visible mites are to the naked eye.
What's the best treatment course for this? Can someone instruct me on what to buy and how to do it? I know it's probably a powder... should I dust the chickens with it while they are out, and then what should I do to clean the coop? Will removing the old shavings and doing a good sweep-out be enough?
Thanks!