What is wrong with my 4 month old Silkie?

[Suzie]

Hi anyone who has Silkies - can anyone throw any light on this one for me?

She was ok until last week when I noticed she has lost some of her feathers from her face - her face is mostly grey and she appears to be disorientated and sleepy - mainly in the mornings ( she perks up afternoons but I am concerned as to what she may be suffering from) - her Sister and Maman Silkie are absolutely fine - no symptoms of any problems whatsoever) - could she have wry neck??? I don't understand this condition so would appreciate any comments....

Thanks BYC

Suzie

 

[BetsyOK]

She may have mites. Scaly face mites are about the same as other mites and can be eradicated fairly easily by the use of sevin dust or Ivermectin. Often there will be only one in the pen showing signs of mites, though others may have a lighter infestation.

 

[IroquoisEgg]

Funny, I had the same problem with my 4 month old silkie. I found out that it was lice. They all had them in fact. The silkie that seemed more effected than the others would close her eyes alot, and the fur around her eyes was thin and she just seemed not super healthy, but for the longest time I didn't know what was wrong because that was really her only symptoms, around her eyes. I treated all of them with flea and tick powder made for cats and dogs. I something like a tea bag and put the powder in and puffed it around under the wings, around the vent, everywhere really-just make sure it reached the skin. Check for lice by looking at her vent, you will see tiny straw colored bugs and under the wings and on my silkies I found none by the vent but on their backs and such. The bugs will literally just fall off.

 

[M@M@2four]

Going to post the same thing--mites! Dust her in Sevin dust(you buy this at walmart or anywhere with lawn & garden section should have it) or you can spray her with Adam's flea and tick spray(walmart pet section)...mites will cause lethargia and anemia and eventually cause death if not treated right away! Good luck!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Also, for maintenence, have you checked out DE? Diatomaceous Earth- always use food grade. I sprinkle it all over the pine shavings and put a little in their food. There are lots of threads on here discussing it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't know I just don't feel comfortable using sevin dust on my chickens, but I do use DE in their house and put it in their food. Thank the Lord no mites ever!

 

[dieselgrl48]

I can't remember the name of the stuff but.I had a few pen's once that got mite's.DH got this poultry Lice/Mite dust from the local mill.I Dusted every bird and then put the dust in the cleaned/shop vac'd pen's.So far I haven't had any more problem's.I have heard the Sevin work's but I am iffy about it too.But a lot of people swear by it.I have heard of some people spreading a little if they have a common spot where they like to dust bathe in with the dirt or sand and it keep's them protected.Mine almost all have a few common holes they share for bathing.I will try the Sevin if I find anymore mite's.DE Is no where to to found around here. Every time one of mine scratche's Im picking all over to see if mites

.Hope you can fix them up soon.

 

[Suzie]

Thank you so much for the responses - I am now treating her and the others for mites, haven't found any yet but I am convinced you are all right, her head and neck have small scabs, is there anything I can put on these apart from the mites/lice treatment, her skin looks so sore, could I perhaps use some vaseline or some bland cream?

I can't thank you all enough for your help - Vet's here (France) wouldn't entertain me taking my Silkie to them....
Thank goodness for BYC members

Suzie

 

[chasehope]

would the treatment be the same for leg mites?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have heard that for leg mites use vaseline it smothers them, how would you put sevin on a chickens face? and wouldn't it cause breathing problems?