Chicken bald back

[AlisonH]

My 2 girls haven't laid since summer and having treated for worms and been generally off it for a while I came to the conclusion that they must have mites. They suddenly went downhill, looking very anaemic but once I put some mite powder on then and jet sprayed the coop and gave tonic and poultry spice they have been much better. However, how do I know if the mites have actually gone?

 

They have had a couple of heavy moults due, I guess to the mites, but have now re grown feathers and have much much more colouring on their combs now and seem much happier though no eggs, but I have never actually seen the mites. The girls are really hard to catch now since they're not laying so I can't examine them but I don't want to stop treating if they haven't gone properly. Any ideas??

[miller30]

They sound like they have recovered from the mites I had really bad redmite this year I still have a few but they are going now the weather is getting colder all you can do is keep powdering the house and check which is what im dong as I don't spray my houses this time of year as they wouldn't dry but make sure before spring hits you start spraying again as they will be back it will take them a while to get over mites and with moulting .some of mine have moulted and are just coming back into lay a tip is if you have somewhere under cover where the girls can dustbath in some sand chuck a load of mite powder in it and they will get it all over and do the job for you they will become nice and red in the face when they are thinkng about laying again best time to catch birds is at night less stress leanne

[AlisonH]

Thanks for your advice Leanne

[The Dogmother]

Do check your birds too (as well as the coop) as they mite have lice or mites themselves; this will be easier to do when they have gone to bed, so get your torch out.

 

It is advisable to spray and powder every week when you clean it out, I use Total Mite Kill Concentrate to spray on after it's been cleaned, and then powder with Buz Busters... both of these products knock down mites instantly on contact.

 

If you use a preventative spot-on and spray your birds every quarter, then they ought to be lice/mite free. You will need to see your vet for these products.

[AlisonH]

Thanks for all your advice Dogmother, much appreciated.

[The Dogmother]

No worries.

 

It is important to have a regular preventative routine, especially when cleaning the coop every week. That will keep on top of any issues.