Wanted - Eglu Cube Mk1 Roosting Bars

[Sara_H]

Hi!

Just a quick question about mites and other nasties.....

 

I picked up one of my ducks(Lavender) yesterday and I noticed a small (about 2mm long) insect thing crawling on her neck. I think it had six legs and was a light pinky colour. I'm really worried it might be a red mite - but reading up on them I saw they tend to only come out at night. When I saw the bug on Lavender it was about 5pm and she had not been inside the duck house for a good 9 or so hours. Does anyone have an idea what it could be? And if it is red mite is there anything I can spray their house with to get rid of the little blighters? I have some red mite powder I bought from Omlet for the ducks but have nothing to treat the house - if there is such a thing?

 

Also - I am still new to duck keeping and when I picked up my other duck Dyllis last night I noticed when I put her down I was covered in what looked like dandruff (along with downy feathers!! ) Is this normal or is it something I should keep and eye on/treat? Could the two things be connected?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

x

[miller30]

Hi i would be very surprised if it was a redmite as redmite live in the house not on the birds until they go to bed and i have had ducks for years and never known a duck to have redmite the duck farmer i know has never seen redmite on a duck either plus redmite are really small you can hardly see them my chickens had them a few years ago if you are really worried give their house a spray with poultry shield but to be honest i dont spray my duck house and the dandruff and downy feathers sounds normal to me hope this helps leanne.

[Lesley]

I've never seen red mite on ducks before either.

[Sara_H]

That's a relief - phew! Thank you!

Must've just a been a curious bug!

[Guest]

Your duck may be moulting the wild mallards are looking a right scruffy bunch , although the newbies look gleaming?

 

Never had mites or bugs and I had a wooden house..never sprayed it or anything just a wet house mostly.

 

Just keep an eye on them sound fine to me too

indie