Solitary chicken - need advice

[Valkyrie]

Just another timely reminder to check for this little er pest! Just seen Squirt not looking happy. Picked her up and she didn't bite my arms off. She looked OK until I felt under her tummy. Her vent is quite clear but her undercarriage was covered. This time last week she had a bum that appeared to be clear and her feathers were super. She isn't laying and she didn't have a mucky poo bottom either. They were all Harkered when they were put in together in February. They have diatom in the dirt bath. In fact everywhere has diatom! And now I do too and now I feel itchy! She is spending more time under the clubhouse - I thought she'd been lying somewhere in the damp and it was mud at first. So she has had another dousing of diatom and more Harkermectin drops administered. Will now follow on and do everyone else. So far the others look happy enough but I need to grab them sooner rather than later. I know I had some Johnson's somewhere. They aren't going to sneak up on me and thrive on my girls! Not had them here before in nearly 6 years so have been rather lucky I guess.

But really? GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

[Beantree]

Migrating birds bring them in Valkyrie and they can survive two weeks 'off host'. Best treatment I have is Frontline spray at 1.5mL per Kg bodyweight. Others in the coop get 0.5mL per Kg bodyweight as a precaution. In my experience it is effective for well over a month. Very difficult to spot until so advanced the bird looks ill. Cockerels are usually first hit around the vent and hackles.

[Valkyrie]

Well I'll just blame the pigeons. Thankfully no rooster here, but just had a look online for stockists. Just ordered avipro from one of the places that stock Frontline. What bad timing - could have added that to my order! Never mind. I shall make a note and see how it goes with the Harkers and order the Frontline later. I gather a wash and dry with some puppy mite shampoo also helps get them under control. Thank you Beantree.

[The Dogmother]

Mine had them a few years back Val... I had been lax in my prevention programme I washed them all in dog flea shampoo to get off all the mite droppings and dead skin, then restarted their prevention programme, coupled with twice weekly sprays of a product containing permethrin until any visible mites had gone.

 

* most of the products mentioned above are not licensed for use on poultry in the UK.

[Valkyrie]

On the plus side she hasn't stopped wolfing down her food, I gave her another dousing in case I missed anywhere but there seems to be a big difference so quickly. I think I have managed to contain it on her. I still have to grab the newbies to dust them. And I've found my Johnson's spray - already done the mectin so won't do that on top. I did give her some nutri drops as well - she refused to open her beak until a little bit leaked through where I was wiping the pipette along the side - then mouth open wide and guzzle guzzle. And she must be feeling better as she went for my foot! She is the spiteful ratbag out of them all! Edited to add she weighs a ton and it's like having doing a work out to tip her over to dust her and rub it all in to get right down to the skin.

[Valkyrie]

I seem to be on a winning streak! Hope I haven't spoken too soon! The girls look fine. Squirt's tum is all clear and no more wounds. None of the other girls have the mites thankfully. I think they've had all the good drink additives under the sun to perk them all up as well!