Need advice because I can't tell! Does my Buff O have mites?

[chuckun]

Dear BYC Community! My BO's vent feathers looked dirty and dandruffy so I've been investigating whether she has some sort of mite. We have had very hot weather, and I understand mites thrive in the heat, but I can't tell if she's preening excessively. Two of my have 5 hens started molting, so there are more loose feathers than usual but I've checked the feathers and don't see eggs or critters. I've read articles about mites including scaly leg mites and now I'm wondering if she has the beginnings of an infestation of one or the other. Maybe both?

So far this is what I've done: I sprayed the coop and run with the oil/water/dish soap solution recommended by the blogger Fresh Eggs Daily, and I dabbed some tea tree oil around her vent. I've given all my hens garlic and brewers yeast and extra protein. My BO is not dust bathing much. I just don't know about her legs and feet. I looked at photos of her legs from a year ago, and they look the same to me.

These are photos of her vent and feet. She is 6 years old this week. Not laying lately, but she seems well and active. Please let me know what you think - I don't know what to do. Thank you so much!

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Can we get more vent pics. I think she might just be beginning her molt.

 

[Jersey giant lover]

Agreed. Anyway even if they do have mites, just have them dust-bathe. @OneHappyRooster , please help ( oh and you to @black_cat )

 

[The Happster]

Poor girl! That looks sore. Her feet look alright though.

Mites often hide during the day. I'd make a trip to the coop at night. Run your hand under the roosts.
Often red spots - blood - can be seen on roosts, eggs, and sometimes on the walls.

I'd also move any clutter like boxes or feed sacks well away from the chicken sheds. I find the mites like hiding on these things.

 

[Jersey giant lover]

Thanks, Happy

 

[Jersey giant lover]

Also @TheOddOneOut , wanna help too?

 

[black_cat]

At night with a bright light, look through her feathers especially near the vent for mites, lice, and eggs. Look up pictures beforehand so you know what to look for. If she does have lice or mites, may recommend Permethrin as a good fix. Get some of the spray or dust.

 

[chuckun]

Thank you all - ChickenHappy8708, Jersey giant lover, OneHappyRooster and Black Cat - for your clear insights! I went out last night and searched her - no tiny life to be seen. And she has started really molting. All feathers clear of any nits. I haven't seen anything crawling and no blood in the coop or on the roost. I was really reassured about her feet. Here are some photos of her vent today. She tends to have a pink bald spot there year-round.

t

 

[black_cat]

Thank you all - ChickenHappy8708, Jersey giant lover, OneHappyRooster and Black Cat - for your clear insights! I went out last night and searched her - no tiny life to be seen. And she has started really molting. All feathers clear of any nits. I haven't seen anything crawling and no blood in the coop or on the roost. I was really reassured about her feet. Here are some photos of her vent today. She tends to have a pink bald spot there year-round.View attachment 2331323View attachment 2331324View attachment 2331325
View attachment 2331323View attachment 2331324View attachment 2331325t

That doesn't look fun! Is that stuff dried poop? What's going on there?

 

[frostic]

Thank you all - ChickenHappy8708, Jersey giant lover, OneHappyRooster and Black Cat - for your clear insights! I went out last night and searched her - no tiny life to be seen. And she has started really molting. All feathers clear of any nits. I haven't seen anything crawling and no blood in the coop or on the roost. I was really reassured about her feet. Here are some photos of her vent today. She tends to have a pink bald spot there year-round.

if shes got a bald spot there year round, i suspect other chickens are plucking her feathers on her butt. I had this happen with my first flock. get some no-peck and apply it in the mornings
so other chickens stop pecking her butt. from the images the blood indicates feather plucking
when my chickens molt there is no blood like in your images. this looks like she is being picked on.