Possible Chicken Mite issue?

[mrl8810]

I have three different chicken coops/runs..all three chicken coops have chickens who have bald spots..I first thought that it was because of breeding from the Roosters but now I'm beginning to wonder because of how bad the missing feathers are. The missing feathers are on their lower back and some on their heads and upper back..so I'm not sure. I've tried to put cedar limbs inside the chicken coops/houses as I've researched...I've put them on the ground etc and it doesn't seem to be getting any better...is it okay to put cedar shavings in the house and the nest? If not what can you recommend to help? I've heard of people wanting to put chemicals on the birds but i don't think that's safe? Any help would be great thanks!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Cedar aroma is "toxic" to chickens, not recommenced.

Check your chickens for mites/lice = look under the wing and vent area or through the feathers, do you see anything crawling? Are they scratching alot?
Check your coop/ roosts = run your hand along the underside of the roosts, do you feel anything crawling on your arms? Nest boxes = run your hand/arm into the bedding, do you feel anything crawling on your arms?

If so, get some Permethrin spray from the feed store and spray your coop, mist the chickens (under wings/vent), nest boxes. Redo in 7 - 14 days as eggs hatch. You can also dust them with Poultry Dust or Sevin, do the nest boxes/bedding too.

Is it possible they're molting?