- Sep 24, 2010
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I have aquired some new birds and discovered they have a very severe infestation of a strange parasite I've never seen before. It's not run of the mill lice and doesn't show the same things. I'm a very knowledgeable poultry breeder when it comes to these things and I'm stumped.
The bugs are about 1/10-1/5 the size of a poultry louse and are jet black or dark brown and shiny. They rresemble a spider mite, but aren't as those are only on plants. There are thousands of them and they scatter quickly when they are exposed to the light.
There is a buildup on the feathers, as with lice, but the buildup doesn't appear to be eggs. It is not stiff like louse eggs, but is a powdery substance that comes off on the hands. The powder is also full of these bugs. It is only on a few feathers, but it is there none the less.
The scabs caused by these aren't the same as louse scabs. They are harder and more difficult to pull off. Some ore blackish, which may be dried blood. The others are an amber color and have formed a crust on the skin.
On one cock and another hen there is a residue around the vent itself. This is black on top and is a gross green/tan color, like with infected sores. This residue stinks like rotten and infected skin, but doesn't appear to be a sore or scab. I'm not sure what to think of this, but boy does it smell and look uncomfortable. the birds also squirm when I touch it.
Also, I was responsible and the birds are in quarantine pens. I didn't check them prior to purchase since the breeder has a good reputation in my area and I just took forgranted they'd have checked and dusted the birds before they brought them to me.
Should I treat this like lice and treat it that wy? Or does somebody know what this is and can tell me how to treat it?
I'm thinking flea dip and bath. Then spray just to be sure after they dry.
Circled is one of the bugs in question. See how small they are and they're rounder in shape than lice!
This is the residue/buildup that is on the feathers. I's all the way up the feather and is powdery.
This is the vent on my cock. Looks the sme on the hen. I'm not sure what to think of it, but it smells horrible!
The bugs are about 1/10-1/5 the size of a poultry louse and are jet black or dark brown and shiny. They rresemble a spider mite, but aren't as those are only on plants. There are thousands of them and they scatter quickly when they are exposed to the light.
There is a buildup on the feathers, as with lice, but the buildup doesn't appear to be eggs. It is not stiff like louse eggs, but is a powdery substance that comes off on the hands. The powder is also full of these bugs. It is only on a few feathers, but it is there none the less.
The scabs caused by these aren't the same as louse scabs. They are harder and more difficult to pull off. Some ore blackish, which may be dried blood. The others are an amber color and have formed a crust on the skin.
On one cock and another hen there is a residue around the vent itself. This is black on top and is a gross green/tan color, like with infected sores. This residue stinks like rotten and infected skin, but doesn't appear to be a sore or scab. I'm not sure what to think of this, but boy does it smell and look uncomfortable. the birds also squirm when I touch it.
Also, I was responsible and the birds are in quarantine pens. I didn't check them prior to purchase since the breeder has a good reputation in my area and I just took forgranted they'd have checked and dusted the birds before they brought them to me.
Should I treat this like lice and treat it that wy? Or does somebody know what this is and can tell me how to treat it?
I'm thinking flea dip and bath. Then spray just to be sure after they dry.
Circled is one of the bugs in question. See how small they are and they're rounder in shape than lice!
This is the residue/buildup that is on the feathers. I's all the way up the feather and is powdery.
This is the vent on my cock. Looks the sme on the hen. I'm not sure what to think of it, but it smells horrible!
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