Mar1a Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 I was dusting the girls today and noticed that my almost terminal broody is nekkid underneath. It looked quite red too. She hasn't been broody for a couple of weeks and we have stopped making them sleep in the house because it just wasn't happening for them and while we have done everything we can against the red mite we can't sit there hand on heart and say that we have completely git rid of it. Any ideas why her belly is so bare? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 The bare Bally is usually because they are or have been broody. If it's red then just eliminate bugs/ticks or an infestation. You will have to tackle the red-mite situation though and ensure you erase it otherwise your hens will suffer. I have never had them thank goodness but I am were if lots of threads on the subject. Have you tried a spot on deterrent? I use ivermectin* quarterly. *Not licensed for use on poultry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mar1a Posted September 5, 2015 Author Share Posted September 5, 2015 Thanks ivermectin is next on the list to try - we are keeping up with the nettex/diatom/dusting/garlic/scrubbing bit for the mo. They're off on hols next week and will be staying an extra day to give us chance to do everything we want to get done but can't because they're there Every day we are doing something to combat red mite, and it seems to be working because this morning there were barely a few and they weren't red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 As Gavclojak has said, she will be bald underneath if she is broody as they need the bare, hot skin to keep the eggs warm. As their skin is so thin, it does go red when exposed; you can soothe this by smearing a bit of Sudocrem on it. Spot-on is a very good preventative against mites and lice (not licensed for use on poultry in the UK of course) and it wil also help with any red mite problems in the housing as any bug which bites the birds will die. One tip with regards to husbandry.. I woudl swap the Diatom for Nettex's Buz Busters louse powder; it contain permethrin, which is the active ingredient in the spray, and will kill mites on contact. Just sprinkle some in the coop after you have cleaned and sprayed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Thanks ivermectin is next on the list to try - we are keeping up with the nettex/diatom/dusting/garlic/scrubbing bit for the mo. They're off on hols next week and will be staying an extra day to give us chance to do everything we want to get done but can't because they're there Every day we are doing something to combat red mite, and it seems to be working because this morning there were barely a few and they weren't red Well done you:) sounds like your getting on top of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
