What is this?

[rianrochelle]

Hi All -

Forgive my ignorance. My 8 week old buff Orpington (pullet?) has this under both of her wings. Is this just dirt or something more serious? It's a ton of moist clumps. I've never seen this before.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Are they outside with access to dirt?

If so I think someone has been dust bathing!

They work cool moist dirt through their feathers to get cool and keep parasites off. In the cool weather mine find a sunny dry patch and let the dirt fly.
Many times I have most hens wanting the same spot and they get all piled up in the dirt.

If they do not have access to the ground and dirt then I am at a loss.

 

[brandon00733]

Agreed ∆∆∆

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

I think it is northern fowl mites, because of the black clumps of refuge they leave from sucking the chickens blood.
Here is a good article and the answer to use this product.

Glenda Heywood
· [URL='https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fowl-mites.1175395/']https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fowl-mites.1175395/
KILLIG NORTHRN FOWL MITES USE THIS
Glenda Heywood
Well you are right good old 5% sevin dust has been banned for chicken use.
they now use the one you listed the URL for...
Permethrin spray
It is sold at amazon
https://www.backyardchickens.com/…/permethrin-spray.1134783/
remember any time handling these kinds of spray or powder wear plastic gloves.
and spray all the chickens with the permethrin spray.
Also clean out the chicken house and take and permethrin spray all the cracks in the wood to kill any that are hatching there,
Also I would use Diatomaceous Earth on the floor and on top of the bedding to help the hens rid their body of the mites.
You may have to spray the chickens again ina week.
Best to lock the chickens up at night and spray them then.


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[21hens-incharge]

Do a good check for moving bugs on her or eggs stuck to the shafts of feathers.

To me she looks like my light colored birds do after a good bath in my flower pots.

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

Yes besure a look her over, I may be wrong but it is worth a good search of the chickens body.

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

chicken with northern fowl mites

 

[Glenda Heywoodo]

Here is more what the other lad was talking about.

 

[rianrochelle]

Thank you everyone! It doesn't look like those mites. I'm thinking it's dirt now :-/

Can you tell I'm a newbie?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Yup.
We were all new at one point. We had questions/concerns too.
If you have more or other questions this is a great place to ask. Folks are nice, and willing to lend their wisdom.