4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[LaPoule]

About 10 days ago, I noticed that Picasso, my Poland, was payng particular attention to her fluffy bum feathers. I picked her up and noticed that they were quite wet (not sopping, but more than damp), and also that the skin underneath seemed very dry. Her vent itself was clean, and the feathers weren't dirty - just wet. I assumed she had managed to dip her bum in something (but what?), but didn't like the look of the dry skin. I gave her a bath, blowdried her, and sent her back to bed. The next day her skin looked fairly normal. I have also checked the others, and no one else seems to have this.

 

However, I have just noticed that the feathers around her bum are rather greasy, and not as fluffy as normal - the tails below the vent, that are normally all fluffy. Also, the skin is looking very dry again. Could she have Northern Fowl Mite? It doesn't really look very similar, but it's hard to tell. I have diatom and Red Mite Powder to hand - would either of these work?

She is not losing any feathers, and is otherwise her normal self.

 

Edited May 14, 2009 by Guest

[quickcluck]

I put teatree and lavender cream on my girls dry skin....

[LaPoule]

Thanks quickcluck - however, the more I research on the internet, the more I'm afraid that the cause is Northern Fowl Mite. Nasty things, apparently. I have spoken to a chicken-friendly vet, who recommended ivermectin, and have also found this link by Claret:

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=44213

 

I have ordered the Xeno200 and have bought the Anti-Mite spray and will get some Poultry Shield on Saturday. I will also heavily up the use of diatom.

 

THIS IS WAR! I TAKE NO PRISONERS