tracywifey Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 I think one of my chooks has ticks. Did the normal checks today and she is covered. It is not limited to the vent (if anything the vent is the better area). I think it's ticks and not mites as they're tiny brown-ish and round and you can see them moving. There are lots of little white specks too which I can only presume are eggs / egg casings. It's not limited to the base of the feather they are spread even up and down the feathers. It's definitely not lice as I know what they look like, and not red mites (nothing in the house and not like any pics on the forums). Also we live near a pond and our cat often comes in with a tick on (although they are normally odd ones and bigger as full with blood and I just pick them off). Couldn't find any feeding on the chook though? She is laying fine every day and seems fine in herself (starting to moult a little but plenty of new growth too). Bizarrely the other chook is completely clean. Does anyone have any more tick / mites pictures? And any advice for treating ticks? Or is there a treatment which will work for ticks and mites (to cover all bases). Just don't want to treat with the wrong thing while the little blighters spread to my other chook. Thanks a lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 I doubt very much they're ticks, unless you find some attached to them, like you have with your cats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 11, 2009 Share Posted October 11, 2009 It could be lice. There are pictures in the here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 12, 2009 Share Posted October 12, 2009 Those will be poultry lice. Ticks don't run around on a host, they dig in, feed then drop off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracywifey Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 thanks. makes sense about the ticks dropping off. have bought some gold label louse powder from my local country store. have puffed that on both the chooks (in case) although it's very messy! i was told i wouldn't need to withdraw the eggs either. the chooks are happy and still laying anyway which is the main thing. if anyone has any tips they would be gratefully received. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Do bear in mind that that powder is only a preventative, it doesn't kill them. A bit like using tea tree oil on childrens' hair to ward off head lice. See my thread at the top of Chicken Clinic for details on effective products to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 Definitely sounds like lice to me too . I've used Johnson's Anti Mite Spray successfully on lice. Costs a couple of pounds from Pets At Home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracywifey Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 thanks. will try the johnsons spray as well (sounds a lot easier and more effective than the powder). do you know if i have to withdraw eggs while using johnsons anti-mite spray? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 15, 2009 Share Posted October 15, 2009 There's info on egg withdrawal in this thread . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
