Quarantine birds

[The-White-Elephant]

Day 1: December 17th. Moved into the new house. The previous owner didn't let me check on the chickens until we got the keys. Checked on them in the afternoon and basically just sat in their coop and run for a few hours. Changed their feed to what I feed (Purina 20% protein, Flock raiser) and provided them with oyster shells. Removed all of their previous feed and cleaned out the coop as well. They were fed rabbit food and layer feed, looks like the previous owners mixed the two.

Day 2: Hanged out with them for a few hours and checked on the Barred rock because she looked sick. I finally caught her (like I said, they are skittish) and checked on her. We hit our first issue, she is INFESTED with mites and maybe lice. Dusted all 7 of the birds with permethrin dust all the way to the skin. Left them in it for the entire night. So my question would be...what are the bugs on her? (pictures posted below). Anyways, everyone had a lot, but the BR had it the worst. They are in pretty bad shape. Her skin is very flakey too We named her "Festia" because of her infestation and because it the the Christmas season.

Rabbit food? That is for rabbits, first of all (which we all know), but I tied to feed my chickens that (just for fun), and they despise It. Won’t even eat 1 pellet.

 

[cherrynberry]

I'm glad you are going to be taking care of them!
You are on the right track with using the Permethrin dust on the hens. Repeat the dusting in 7 day intervals.
I know you cleaned out the coop, but did you also treat it with Permethrin? If not, then using a Permethrin spray is a good idea. Why spray? You can purchase Permethrin concentrate which is more economical, spray is much easier to apply to housing since you can get it into the corners, nooks/crannies. I do prefer spray for housing, dust for treating birds, so I keep both forms. (Repeat spraying the coop/housing in 7 day intervals too)

The skin issue is probably from the lice, a little picking/scratching at herself and maybe nutrition.
Again, you are on the right track with the feed. You've have excellent results with vaseline with your other hens, so you can try a thin coating on there to help sooth that or if you have hen healer try that.

How do their legs look?

Follow Carol's (azygous) article on treating the crop. I know you got this!

I look forward to your updates.

Thank you!

The coop is cleaned, but has not been treated. Unfortunately, I only have permethrin dust on hand, but will be buying the spray ASAP. Yup, I will be getting the vaseline too.

 

[cherrynberry]

Good luck in treating the mites. Some mites stay on the chickens day and night, while others are only seen on them at night, hiding in the coop cracks and crevices during the daytime. Straw bales can harbor mites, and some people have brought mites in on those. I read once that chickens will only have either mites or lice, and not both, but I have no proof of that. Apparently one drives the other away. Here are some good articles about lice and mite treatments:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

https://poultryhealthinspection.ucd...-files/treatment-of-lice-mites-of-poultry.pdf

I see them during the day. I will check to see if I can spot any during the night. I think I see two different bugs on them, but can't be sure. A few are clear (kind of like lice) and a few have red/brown on them. Thats the only way I can describe it. Thanks!

 

[cherrynberry]

Rabbit food? That is for rabbits, first of all (which we all know), but I tied to feed my chickens that (just for fun), and they despise It. Won’t even eat 1 pellet.

I know, but the owner was really clear in letting me know not to bother them UNTIL we got the keys. All rabbit food has been removed.

 

[cherrynberry]

Si sorry do they free range? Also are they all infested like that?

When I can watch them, they free range. Otherwise they are in a run. All are infested, yes.

Okay, going to head to the property again. There is no wifi, yet. Today's goal is to weigh and deworm them. Will try to buy some permethrin spray too.

 

[cherrynberry]

Day 4: My sister pointed out that it would be easier to deworm them when we catch them to dust them. I think it will be easier too. So I basically just bonded with them today. Also gave the one with sour crop some monistat. I also gave them wet feed today, since it is easier to digest for the sour crop bird and basically everyone else. The sour crop bird is now named Coala. Below is her.

 

[cherrynberry]

Festia eats from my hand now. Last picture is a picture of her feet, for whoever asked for that.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

Festia eats from my hand now. Last picture is a picture of her feet, for whoever asked for that.

Festia is so pretty!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I think the feet are ok for now.
Focus on getting the lice/mites gone, the crop issues, deworming, them eating chicken feed, etc.
I think you'll see a difference in a month or so.
Sweet Ladies!

 

[cherrynberry]

I think the feet are ok for now.
Focus on getting the lice/mites gone, the crop issues, deworming, them eating chicken feed, etc.
I think you'll see a difference in a month or so.
Sweet Ladies!

Thank you! We got the Wifi set up today and also set up a Christmas tree, which is the first real one we have ever had! Unfortunately, while I closed the old chickens in, my sister closed the new ones in, so I wasn't able to see if the mites are active at night. Will hopefully check tomorrow. Glad the feet looks okay. The crop issue seems to be better already. Just wanted to add this: I know it isn't that special, but I gave my first shot today, which was intermuscular. Hopefully one day I will look back and say to myself, "That's the start of your vet experience, but it certainly wasn't the end!"

Thank you again!!!!