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[Dolly]

Hope you all had a good Christmas, mine has just come down with a bump as I've finally had a moment to check a 'funny looking' patch of feathers on Roxy's neck and from the descriptions on here/the web, its definately depluming mite

 

She was treated a week ago with Xeno 200 spray for 'normal' mites which she was suffering with, but since then has developed a bald patch on her neck and the feathers are down to their quills with just a few wispy bits left at the tips.

So I guess the Xeno doesn't work on depluming mites....?

 

The thing that's got me really upset is the big patch of sticky, matted feathers on the centre of her back which is covered in brown bits that look like dirt /sand - I'm assuming it's the same depluming mites.

 

I feel so terrible that I didn't get chance to check her on Xmas Eve when I noticed her feathers were a bit 'scruffy'

 

I've just sprayed her back and neck with Johnson's anti mite spray but don't know what else to do, so my questions:-

 

1. How often should I spray the Johnsons? Can you overdose on this?

2. Does the spray need to make contact with the mites to kill them, or will it work as long at it's sprayed on the skin?

3. How long will it take to get rid of the mites?

4. Should I take her to a vet for more effective treatment (assuming mine's open on a bank hol)?

5. Is there anything else I can do?

 

I'm so upset about this, any help you can give would be gratefully received as always

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sorry to hear that . I've no experience of this but here are a couple of threads that might be helpful to you..

 

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=64034&hilit=depluming+mite

 

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=63690&hilit=flowers+of+sulphur

 

You'll find other threads which might be interesting if you do a search on the forum.

[Redwing]

The Johnsons spray will get the types of mites that the Xeno didnt, the two different ingredients they contain are the most effective over the counter remedies you can buy

 

I'd treat with Johnsons now - a spray under each wing and around the vent should be fine, if you can make contact with the skin then you'll get a bit of a residual effect. Then spray again in a few days time. If you think the mites remain you can spray every few days

 

The Xeno should keep working for a while yet too

 

They should be free of mites pretty quickly - a week or so

 

Once the chicken is free of mites it will be able to preen the 'sticky' patch clean however once all mites are gone it may be worth giving her a bath to clean her up a bit

 

If you feel the problem is persisting then your vet may well be willing to prescribe Frontline spray which is very good though not licenced for poultry in the UK. Dont be tempted to use the over the counter Fontline pipettes you get for cats and dogs as the dosage wont be relevant to chickens and thats a heck of a gamble!!

[Dolly]

Thanks so much for your replies, I'll treat her again with the Xeno 200 spray and another few squirts of the Johnson's anti mite in a couple of days.

 

After some further research through previous posts and 'Googling' (dangerous I know), I had another look at the sticky patch on her back and it's HEAVING with mites, which I think look more like northern fowl mite.

If this is the case, would the treatment programme above still work?

 

Thanks again

[Redwing]

I did wonder if it was maybe NFM, some of mine bought it home from a show and it made the sticky patches that you describe

 

yes the above programme will still work, that will work for pretty much anything - the stuff that the Xeno doesnt kill the Johnsons will so its a good all round treatment in severe cases

 

A bath will remove many of the NFM, a bit ickky but worth doing if you can cope with it! keep her indoors in a box overnight to dry though.

 

Its also worth applying the Johnsons spray while the chook is still damp as you can get it down to the skin much easier without the fluffy feathers in the way!