NEED HELP! MY HEN IS ACTING UNUSUAL UPDATE #2!!

[chicken tender lady]

Hi All,

I wanted to post an update for you today of my hen "Summer"! I've been meaning to post sooner but I've been very busy! Please look at my prior post with the same titles dated Sept. 12 & Sept. 19th. These two posts will have more info and background as to what's going on.

So now with the Update: about 3 days ago I decided to move Summer back into the runner area to start the intro. process back into the flock. This is because I felt she was starting to do better. She was standing more putting more weight on her leg and looking good. Also the weather was gonna start getting a lot colder. The nighttime temps were going into the lower 30's upper 20's. So I wanted her to be warmer. I then decided to put a hen in with her to see if they would be friendly with each other. But the hen I put in with her started pecking at her right away. So then I put the other hen back on the coop side. Then a little later that day I decided to put a different hen in with her. She did tge same thing! Maybe it was too soon? Since it was the first day?

Then yesterday I was gone all day so I didn't have time to deal with this situation and intro process! Now onto today: this morning I went out yo check on the chickens, feed them, etc. I decided to check Summer for mites, lice, etc. I found little blackish/Grey bugs crawling on her neck! So I need help identifying what they might be and how to treat her? I did check other parts of her body like under her wings and vent area. I could only find the bugs on her neck area. So I'm not sure what to do? Do I isolate her again? Do I have to treat the rest of my flock? I need some guidance! I would appreciate it! I'm also gonna post pics and video on here! TIA!

 

[llcardinale]

Used Google Gemini (AI) and this is the beginning of the response (--use Google Gemini for the full response, including treatment:

• Query successful

Try again without apps

	Description
Appearance	Tiny (about 1/25th of an inch), eight legs, typically black, gray, or dark brown. They appear darker after a blood meal.
Location	While they are often most numerous around the vent area, a heavy infestation, or in certain crested breeds, will cause them to migrate up to the neck and head feathers.
Behavior	They spend their entire life cycle on the chicken (unlike Red Mites, which hide in the coop during the day). They are fast-moving specks on the skin.
Effect on Bird	Can cause feather loss, discomfort, and scratching, and a severe infestation can lead to anemia (pale comb and wattles) or even death.

Export to Sheets

 

[chicken tender lady]

Used Google Gemini (AI) and this is the beginning of the response (--use Google Gemini for the full response, including treatment:

• Query successful

Try again without apps

	Description
Appearance	Tiny (about 1/25th of an inch), eight legs, typically black, gray, or dark brown. They appear darker after a blood meal.
Location	While they are often most numerous around the vent area, a heavy infestation, or in certain crested breeds, will cause them to migrate up to the neck and head feathers.
Behavior	They spend their entire life cycle on the chicken (unlike Red Mites, which hide in the coop during the day). They are fast-moving specks on the skin.
Effect on Bird	Can cause feather loss, discomfort, and scratching, and a severe infestation can lead to anemia (pale comb and wattles) or even death.

Export to Sheets

Okay thank you! Not sure how to do that? I've never used Google Gemini before? I wish it said if it was mites or lice?

 

[llcardinale]

I missed copying the top:

1. Most Likely Culprit: Northern Fowl Mites​

Northern Fowl Mites (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) are the most common external parasite on chickens and often match your description.
Simply input Google Gemini in your search and a inquiry box will show up

 

[Altairsky]

Don't use AI as a vet, it's extremely dangerous for your birds. AI is the dumbest thing in the world and should be used just for laugh and giggles, not for medical advice.

The bugs are long and black, therefore they look like lice.

Treatment:
https://www.flowerfeatherfarm.com/s...0i45MaLgOD50NgGlyQDAsDwqoJ6-MUB3FFu9YRPeSb_Ph

 

[RubelliteRose]

It is hard for me to tell from your video, but to me they look like mites. Here is a site with pictures of both: https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/
In any case, either lice or mites, the treatment is the same. In the past, I have used a permethrin dip, permethrin dust, and Elector PSP. Elector PSP is expensive, but my favorite product as it will kill the mites in one treatment and does not have an egg withdrawal time. A whole bottle will last a VERY long time. There are people who will sell a single dose, but it is at a significant markup per ounce.
You will need to treat the whole flock and clean out/treat your coop no matter which treatment option you choose. You had the right idea with trying to add another hen with her for re-integration. This is what I have done too, but the mites/lice may be the reason why your other hens started pecking her.

 

[chicken tender lady]

Don't use AI as a vet, it's extremely dangerous for your birds. AI is the dumbest thing in the world and should be used just for laugh and giggles, not for medical advice.

The bugs are long and black, therefore they look like lice.

Treatment:
https://www.flowerfeatherfarm.com/s...0i45MaLgOD50NgGlyQDAsDwqoJ6-MUB3FFu9YRPeSb_Ph

Thank you! I agree! I'm not sure about AI! I think it has it's purpose but you should always use good judgement when using it! I'm thinking she has lice!

 

[chicken tender lady]

It is hard for me to tell from your video, but to me they look like mites. Here is a site with pictures of both: https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/
In any case, either lice or mites, the treatment is the same. In the past, I have used a permethrin dip, permethrin dust, and Elector PSP. Elector PSP is expensive, but my favorite product as it will kill the mites in one treatment and does not have an egg withdrawal time. A whole bottle will last a VERY long time. There are people who will sell a single dose, but it is at a significant markup per ounce.
You will need to treat the whole flock and clean out/treat your coop no matter which treatment option you choose. You had the right idea with trying to add another hen with her for re-integration. This is what I have done too, but the mites/lice may be the reason why your other hens started pecking her.

Thank you! Through my research it seems that she has lice! I guess I have my work cut out for me! The first time I've had to deal with this! I will try to see where I can get some Elector PSP or permethrin! I want to try and eradicate these pests ASAP!