Small Black Bugs?????

[2003ChickenZamon]

I noticed about three weeks ago that one of my Rhode Island Red chickens was looking mopey until just a few days ago when she all of a sudden got sick. On checking in to it I noticed small black bugs scurrying around at the base of her feathers. The feathers also looked rotten at the base. I put DE on all of them but the one died. I've checked into the possibility of lice, fleas, and mites but they all look to small to be the problem. Help.

 

[Hybridchucks]

Picture/s?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

The word "mite" also refers to a very small coin in use 2,000 years ago. So the tiny black bugs that you see scurrying around on your chicken also got named "mites"

Without more evidence I will venture a guess that what you are seeing is Northern Fowl Mites. These lovely creatures gnaw on your hens hides and lap up any blood or lymph fluid that accumulates in the holes in your chickens' skin.

As I see it you can either buy yourself a hand trigger or pump up garden sprayer and treat every member of your flock with Permethrin liquid insecticide every 90 days or you can continue using Ditomaceous Earth (DE) in which case you will need to buy new chickens as the mites slowly but surly kill off your current flock .

 

[CCUK]

De-pluming mites?

 

[2003ChickenZamon]

The word "mite" also refers to a very small coin in use 2,000 years ago. So the tiny black bugs that you see scurrying around on your chicken also got named "mites"

Without more evidence I will venture a guess that what you are seeing is Northern Fowl Mites. These lovely creatures gnaw on your hens hides and lap up any blood or lymph fluid that accumulates in the holes in your chickens' skin.

As I see it you can either buy yourself a hand trigger or pump up garden sprayer and treat every member of your flock with Permethrin liquid insecticide every 90 days or you can continue using Ditomaceous Earth (DE) in which case you will need to buy new chickens as the mites slowly but surly kill off your current flock .

The word "mite" also refers to a very small coin in use 2,000 years ago. So the tiny black bugs that you see scurrying around on your chicken also got named "mites"

Without more evidence I will venture a guess that what you are seeing is Northern Fowl Mites. These lovely creatures gnaw on your hens hides and lap up any blood or lymph fluid that accumulates in the holes in your chickens' skin.

As I see it you can either buy yourself a hand trigger or pump up garden sprayer and treat every member of your flock with Permethrin liquid insecticide every 90 days or you can continue using Ditomaceous Earth (DE) in which case you will need to buy new chickens as the mites slowly but surly kill off your current flock .

I looked into northern fowl mites but the bugs appear too big.

 

[Morrigan]

Regardless of exactly what type of bug they are, an insecticide such as permethrin, which is approved for use on poultry, should kill them. Others possibilities are Spinosad (Elector is the product) or Potassium Sorbate (Poultry Protector). Some people have even had good luck with Neem or Thyme Oil. Because you have a bad infestation you are going to want to clean out your coop, spray it down with the product of your choice, treat all your chickens, and then repeat the process in a week, so as to get the new hatchlings.

I've never used DE, but from everything I've read, it's not enough fire power to deal with an established infestation.

 

[casportpony]

I noticed about three weeks ago that one of my Rhode Island Red chickens was looking mopey until just a few days ago when she all of a sudden got sick. On checking in to it I noticed small black bugs scurrying around at the base of her feathers. The feathers also looked rotten at the base. I put DE on all of them but the one died. I've checked into the possibility of lice, fleas, and mites but they all look to small to be the problem. Help.

Welcome to BYC! So sorry for your loss. Sounds like mites, so get some permethrin dust and spray. Use the dust on any birds that look sick, and use the spray on healthy birds and their coop. If all look healthy, you can use just the spray. It's been my experience that it's not a good idea to use the spray on sick birds because it chills them, which could kill them.

This is what you can get at Tractor Supply:

 

[2003ChickenZamon]

Welcome to BYC! So sorry for your loss. Sounds like mites, so get some permethrin dust and spray. Use the dust on any birds that look sick, and use the spray on healthy birds and their coop. If all look healthy, you can use just the spray. It's been my experience that it's not a good idea to use the spray on sick birds because it chills them, which could kill them.

This is what you can get at Tractor Supply:
View attachment 1265825 View attachment 1265826 View attachment 1265827

Thanks for the suggestions. I've looked into permethrin but it appears illegal here.

 

[AmazingRachel]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've looked into permethrin but it appears illegal here.

It's only illegal for human use. Worst comes to worst, I'm pretty sure you can get it on Amazon.

 

[casportpony]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've looked into permethrin but it appears illegal here.

Where do you live?