Pullet self cannibalism

[rgolden1125]

Hi everyone. I have a hen that won't stop pecking herself to the point of bleeding/injury.

Here is the original thred. She basically has two scabs near her vent that I'm trying to protect from her:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/scabby-raw-sore-near-butt-warning-picture.1340752/

I've treated all the chickens with permethrin powder twice, 8 days apart around end of Nov beginning of dec. I can't see anything moving on them(and my eyesight is good) I couldn't see anything moving before but thought I saw eggs at the base of feathers when I first treated. I cleaned the coop out twice during that time as well as the run. However, I don't think it's possible to get every single thing. I pressure washed their roosts etc but not the inside. I used hot water inside. Should I pressure wash? Additionally, I have a new baby so I'm trying to keep the pesticide exposure for me to a minimum but I need to get this sorted out. I adore our chickens.
What are signs of mites or lice? Are there physical signs since I don't see anything?

History:
4 bantams. Two pullets, two 2.5 year olds. I'm not sure who top chicken is. The one injuring herself (a pullet) is close to the top. Everyone is pretty docile.

4x16 foot run, 6x8 foot coop. They have access to the run every day.

No treats for the most part. Occasional leafy greens or egg.

Pelleted feed by Kings. It's the show and grow but for laying chickens. It has a little higher vitamin e (one of my older ones is prone to reoccurring wry neck).

This pullet hasn't laid since fall. Probably September or October? She went broody and didn't start laying again.

Everything started the Monday before Thanksgiving.

I've been putting tape (it sticks but doesn't really remove feathers) to keep her from pecking at it. As soon as I remove it and she finds the wounds, she starts going at it. I left it off for 30 minutes the other day and one wound was bright red. Sigh.

Does anything have suggestions? Should I retreat? Other alternatives? Treat with ivermectin? How long does that work for?

Any thoughts on alternative covers to protect her?

I have a vet in town but I'm hesitant based on our previous experience. Culling is not an option, these are our pets.

I'm open to suggestions. Any suggestions. I just want to fix this. Thanks.

 

[DiYMama540]

Can you post some pictures of the hen, as well as the spot that is bothering her?

 

[rgolden1125]

 

[rgolden1125]

Let me know if you want more or different pictures.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would leave the tape off. It looks likemit is covering her oil gland above the tail. Have you tried soaking her in warm Epsom salts water to try and soothe her skin? Pine tar is something that might stop her from pecking herself. If you do not use that, then make sure it has some antibiotic ointment on the sore skin. Have you made sure there are no lice or mites on her?

 

[rgolden1125]

I want to leave the tape off but that's the biggest dilemma. No tape and she opens everything up. Literally 5 minutes and she's ripped everything (scab etc) off on one side and was still going at it while it was bleeding. She turned one side into a crater again on another occasion. I've been putting antibiotic ointment on it morning and night trying to get it to heal fast.
I will try a bath. Should I use shampoo for lice/mites or something other than Epsom salt? How much should I use? The fact shes going at herself so hard makes me think there is still mites or lice. However I don't see anything. let me know what you would try.
I'm not familiar with pine tar.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would look her over for the mites and lice. You should find some on her along with eggs or dirt from them. Some mites (red roost mites) only come on them at night, so check then. The Epsom salts are best to help soothe her. Permethrin dust or spray from feed stores is good for lice and mites, but I would confirm them before using a product. Ivermectin can also be used, but it has an egg withdrawal after use. I really don’t know what else you can try. Instread of tape, is there a way to make a little shirt or cover out of T shirt material. Pine tar is an old remedy found in horse supplies at most feed stores. It smells like pine and tar, tastes bad, and has healing properties. Some also use Nustock Cream which has sulfur and pine oil, and would be good for mites and lice as well. Ask at your feed store or buy that online. Here is some reading about lice and mites and what to look for:
https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8162.pdf

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[Suedan]

@Eggcessive
are Elizabethan collars (like used on dogs and cats) ever used on chickens for self mutilation?

 

[rgolden1125]

Thanks Eggcessive. Based on those articles I don't think we have lice or mites. Tho we do have scaley leg mites. I'll give her another really good once over again tomorrow in good light just to be sure.
I'm going to order nustock cream. (Not to mention it apparently works for leg mites ). And I'm going to get a saddle. Hopefully that combo will work.

What is the water to Epsom salt radio for a chicken bath?

 

[Eggcessive]

Instructions are usually on the label, but I would use a handful in one of the plastic dishpans that you can get at the dollar stores. I havenet’t heard of those collars for chickens, since they usually preen themselves by reaching back to their preen gland. Is that inflammed?