What are these bugs I found in the coop? Some kind of parasite? (PICS)

[shandiane78]

I would be soooo grateful if anyone could tell me what this is. I found lots of them in the coop (before I dusted with DE). I dusted a couple days ago, and there seem to be fewer, but still some. After holding a hen, I found one on my lap, and as I watched one of the hens dust bath on the other side of the yard, I saw one jump off of her.

I've gone online and compared my bugs to chicken louse, mites, and bed bugs. From what I've seen, it doesn't match these. But maybe there are various types?

I tried to take some pictures of them out in the coop, but they are way too tiny. Maybe 1-2mm long? So I killed one with fumes from nail polish remover, put it on a piece of white paper, shined a flashlight on it and got the best pics I could. In the pics it looks brown from the light, but in person they are gray. Also, when living they aren't curled up like that. They crawl and also jump. They are kind of hairy, have six legs and two long antennae that stick straight out in front of them. Body shape and proportion is similar to a grain of rice, only much smaller.

 

[chickenbottom]

looks like a sand lion also called ant lions

 

[shandiane78]

You're right, it does look similar, but it is much smaller and doesn't have the jaws like a sand lion. *edit* Wait, I guess what I just looked at is an ant lion (which is also much fatter than my bug). What is a sand lion? Does it have another name?

 

[chickenbottom]

Quote:
oh nvm then lol here is a site they might have that thing http://www.geocities.com/KelliAnn293/parasites.htm

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Looks like some kind of nymph. I'm not sure what kind... I haven't taken my entomology course yet.

 

[redhen]

Lice or a mite? Maybe?

 

[shandiane78]

chickenbottom, thanks for the great link! The thing that seems to set this apart are the long straight antennae.

greenfamilyfarms, that's a good thought. I'll try looking at pests in the nymph stage.

 

[Fanny]

I'm thinking a springtail? There are many different kinds - mostly harmless as far as I know.

Some good pics and info on this site:

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/category/springtails/

 

[shandiane78]

THANK YOU Fanny! I believe you're right! I just read that they are abundant in the Pacific Northwest, and like you said, it appears they are harmless. After looking at pictures and reading about them, I'm convinced that's what these are. YAY! Thanks again! I was so worried that I might have some horrible infestation of blood suckers.

Shannon

 

[Pathfinders]

Whatever they are, if they're on your chickens, you'll need to get them off.

I am not a huge fan of DE when birds are infested with parasites. I would recommend that you get some Sevin dust from your feed store and treat your birds with it. You'll want the 5% for treating the birds themselves, and 10% for the area (if you can find it, otherwise use the 5%.)

Treat the birds by rubbing it into their skin, starting at their vents (wear a mask and old clothes!) Then treat everywhere they go, especially their roosts and the inside of their pen/coop. You can even make a dust bath area for them, mixed with Sevin and wood ash and/or sand.

DE is one of those things that people like the idea of, because it sounds natural (and believe me, I am a huge fan of natural medicine and the like, huge.) However I have had no experience with it working to clear birds of mites, and have the 49 pound bag in my basement to prove it (and yes, I used food grade DE for those who'll ask.)

Good luck with it!