Which Dip is Best for Depluming Feather Mite Riddance?

[ClareScifi]

My 6 year old rooster has bare spots with broken and chewed feathers. I'm pretty sure it's depluming feather mites at work. I've taken him to the vet for 2 Ivermectin shots, but I'm not convinced it's working. It may be he has to be bathed in Ivermectin Dip in order to be rid of these nasty depluming feather mites? Does anyone know? I read of Sulphur dips, but it doesn't sound like they are all that effective? I won't know whether his feathers will grow back until after his molt in the fall? Can anyone tell me whether it is true that an Ivermectin shot won't rid him of the depluming feather mites? I've also read that the drops on the back of the neck and gullet won't work, either, that it has to be a whole body bath in an Ivermectin Sheep Dip type product? I guess these mites are very tough to get rid of None of my other 12 chickens seem affected. I suspect he has an immune system weakness due to his age, which makes him and not the other chickens susceptible?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have never treated for depluming mites. My understanding is ivermectin is used because the mites are under the skin so a systematic treatment is required like an injection. The life cycle is about 17 days so I assume multiple injections would be required. Feathers wouldn't grow back until the fall molt.

Generally when mites get out of control there is some underlying problem with the bird and the mites are a reflection of that.

 

[ClareScifi]

When you say "some underlying problem with the bird," OldHen, could it be his age? The doc said he is old roo. He'll be 6 in September, God willing. The doc thought maybe his immune system isn't as strong as when he was younger? What else do you think it could be?

 

[ClareScifi]

OldHen, this roo is mean, so unlike the other chickens, he has never gotten to go outside his run to free-range with the others. Do you suppose the soil in the run could be contaminated with these feather depluming mites (I have seen lots of magpies and pigeons perch on its roof which is mesh, so they have probably deposited their droppings inside... Maybe the hens have been better able to fight off these mites because the hens have access to a broader range of places to dust bathe, such as under rigs where these pigeons and magpies don't go? What do you think of this theory?

 

[ClareScifi]

He was under the weather in the fall. Doc thought it was an inner ear infection. He was thin at that time, following a hard molt that lasted a long time. I gave him antibiotic pills for 2 weeks, in scratch, and he recovered and fattened back up and regained his feistiness. Feathers grew back in after this hard molt okay, accept for one bare patch on upper left wing which stayed red and raw looking all winter, but all other feathers looked great. Then his breast bared, like it does right before a molt. Then about a month ago other feathers started disappearing.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

He is an average age for a chicken, though many of mine pass between 4-6, and generally roosters don't live as long as hens in my experiences. The only time I have seen any mites get out of control on a chicken is in a broody hen, in the dead of winter, and when a bird isn't feeling well enough to dust bath. So giving him access to a good bath area may help, but my understanding of depluming mites is they are more a reflection of a weakened immune system as opposed to regular mites which is an external problem.

Sounds like in general he has a few problems going on.

 

[ClareScifi]

Oldhen, what do you think could help boost his immune system the best? Scrambled eggs? Is there a brand of Electrolytes that is better than others? A store recommended Durvet brand Durastat with oregano, cinnamon, sage, rosemary, and essential oils in it, to go in his water. Supposedly it makes them want to eat more and drink more water, enhancing their health. Meal worms? It is to be 100 degrees and above all next week here. 105 on Wednesday.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Decreasing stress is always a good thing. Heat is hard on chickens. Scrambled eggs are a good all around source of nutrition for chickens, so it certainly wouldn't hurt to feed him some, especially if he's underweight. I have never used electrolytes so I can't recommend any. I would offer a clean source of drinking water in those temperatures, sometimes they won't drink water with stuff in it, so it's best to offer both.

 

[ClareScifi]

I wonder whether his son's crow has done him in, stressed him out? He's always been a nervous Nellie. They have no contact, other than hearing each other crow? I wonder whether if we moved the other rooster over by the sound barrier wall, where he wouldn't sound as loud, whether that might help, oldhen?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My roosters don't seem stressed out by other roosters crowing. I think his age is a big factor here, once a chicken starts going down hill it can be hard to stop. Do what you can.