Pests

[little_giant]

One of my two 2 year old cornish cross chickens died of some disease/injury yesterday. It might have given that disease to my last cornish cross chicken because she now sits down a lot. (She still seems healthy though.) But, today, I saw MANY LITTLE black/redish bugs crawling over the hen. Mostly on the tail area but some on all the other parts. She doesnt seem to be affected, but just a little irritated. I think this happened last year but nothing happened. This year however, it is probably lonely and it might be weaker because of a possible disease. I am trying to send this chicken to a 4 H to be less lonely but I dont want to give a sick chicken. Any advice on what to do? And what are these pests and what do they do?
Thank You!

PS. I saw some of the pests on the feeder too

 

[HamandLily]

Sounds like red mites or lice to me - you can get dust-on powders from a chicken friendly pet shop, but by the sound sof it, it is quite an aggressive infestation so a trip to the vet may be necessary.

 

[Imp]

Probably mites. Here's some info:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

There are several effective treatments available.

5% Sevin garden dust
Poultry Dust
Frontline
+ others

are a few. You will need to treat the chickens and coop/run etc. And then retreat again in about 10-14 days. They can be serious and potentially cause death.

Good luck,

Imp

 

[little_giant]

I think it is the Northern Fowl mite. I bought an 8 in 1 ULTRA CARE pyrethrin spray to kill mites for birds. I sprayed the chicken and its coop. I dont think that I sprayed all feathers with mites but i sprayed the tail, wings, and back. I also sprayed the coop sides (but not the bottom where the chicken sits)many times. The only problem is that it smells like the spray, so is that harmful? It also tells me to spray no more than twice a week. I dont think I sprayed and killed all of the mites on the chicken so should I still follow this rule?
The 4 H I contacted already replied and told me that someone may be willing to take her, but they told me to wait a week for a response. Will that be enough time or should I contact the bird rescue and give her to them?
Thank You for the responses!

 

[little_giant]

Quote:
I checked Petsmart and Petco for diatomaceous earth, but they did not have it. Any internet site?

 

[HamandLily]

Quote:
I checked Petsmart and Petco for diatomaceous earth, but they did not have it. Any internet site?

I'm afriad I don't know of any - I'm in England y'see so things are different!

 

[little_giant]

Quote:
I checked Petsmart and Petco for diatomaceous earth, but they did not have it. Any internet site?

I'm afriad I don't know of any - I'm in England y'see so things are different!

ohhh.. i see. but do you know the average price for diatamaceous earth?

 

[Okie Amazon]

Check at your garden supply centers for DE; make to sure to ask if it is FOOD GRADE>

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Many places online sell it including Amazon. Just make sure it is FOOD GRADE not pool grade DE to use with your chickens.

 

[KYChickenlady]

I checked Petsmart and Petco for diatomaceous earth, but they did not have it. Any internet site?


Little Giant where are you? I will try to find you a DE dealer close to you.