new chickens worried about there health

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Hi
we got chickens a few weeks ago . Never kept chickens before so were very niave . We had them about 2 weeks when we discovered 1 of them was covered in red mites . this was not at night . Its under feathers are all matted and solid and there are alot of bald areas too . So we are assuming this is not a recent by the state of the wee thing. It only seems to be this 1 bird ,the others if they have mites probably came from this 1. We have dusted all of them with mite powder a couple of times and Rose an extra during the day as we could still see them on her also dusted coop and bedding . Can I check do you think this def sounds like red mites as they were living on the bird ,the coop was new so nothing came from there Everything seems to talk of the mites coming on to the bird at night . Should you be able to find then on the bird during the day ? The dusting has made a difference and they are more settled at night telling from the poo pattern ! but am now wondering if it is something else
Also 1 makes a wee squack, chirp kind of noise every so often and i am not sure if it has a cough . What does a chicken cough sound like ? It is eating fine and drinking but is smaller than the other one the same age and breed
Have read on here about the garlic in the water and ACV so will start that as soon as
thanks for any advice for this disheartened newbie
 
Hi,

I am unable to offer much advice, being new to chicken keeping myself (3 months), BUT I don't think they will have red mite. From everything i have read, they live in the crevices of the house and feed on the birds at night. It could be northern mite, or feather mite. I am sure someone will come on here with a wealth of knowledge later.Try searching on here, for more info on the above.

Mine had some largish mites, two weeks after they arrived. It was something the wild birds had carried in. I was fortunate to be able to take them to my poultry supplier, who sprayed them with Frontline, which is only available on prescription. They were killed instantly and since then I check my girls weekly, plus dust them regularly with barrier louse powder. I also bought some Johnsons small animal insecticial spray fropm Pets at home for 3.99. It contains Permethrin, and kills fleas, live parasites and lice.

I dont think you should too bad about matters,your chickens clearly had these mites when they arrived. As a newbie, its difficult knowing what to look for as well as learning how to handle them, and getting to know them. Don't be too disheartened, you will get some wonderful help and advice on this forum. Also it sounds as though you are on the right track, they are clearly feeling better already!!


As for the cough, not really sure what one sound like. maybe you could post the breed of chicken and age etc, so that someone can give their opinion later ? (My small 21 week old sablepoot, goes through each day sitting and sleeping, making the most strange noises. So after 5 weeks, I am still getting to know her......)

All the best.....
 
Hi Silverfish- dont get disheartened- they sound lice lice - they could be northern fowl mite- red mite only stay on the birds at night- during daylight they hide under perches/crevices- You need to get it sorted quickly for the birds sake- if you can buy some ivermectin drops for small animals /birds or some frontline spray for dogs and put two or three drops on each bird or spray each bird with a little Frontline- i dont know if Frontline is prescription only- i only use ivermectin ( do them all and don't eat the eggs for 7 days afterwards) that will sort it out- powder is ok and you can powder weekly until cleard up, but if they are infested ivermectin is best-it is not licensed for poultry but the small animal/bird one is good- hope you get it sorted soon, regards,
David :)
 
If they are small sounds possibly like Nothern Mite which will be on the birds during the day, they tend to be around the vent and under carriage of the bird. Lice will be everywhere on a bird. I use a regular farmyward louse powder for lice which is very effective. If your bird is infested with crawlies I would give her a bath first before spraying.
 
Thanks for all the advice
From looking on line and seeing pics of brown mites think they are too small so we are nowing thinking it looks like lice . So we have now dusted for those . 1 of them , the main one affected is looking very scrawnie . I was keen to use the ivermectin at least on her but my other half was a bit concerned when reading the pack as it says not to use on other animals . Also when folk have suggested 2 or 3 drops I am not sure what is meant as they come in wee pop packs . would you share that amongst a couple of birds just using a couple of drops and not use the whole thing ?
Can you give some ideas about the clumps at the bottom of her feathers I have read about having to cut these off but
1. the poor bird would be bald
2. we have just got these birds and have never had chickens and I dont think either the chicken or myself would come off well.
3 .the bit that came off in dusting looked more like matted feathers as this bird has no soft under feathers any more
Can I ask as a total newbie to all things chicken Has this been just bad luck
thanks
s
 
Hello, if you are going to use ivermectin you need to get the Ivermectin 0.8% drops 10 ml -it is only one little bottle- and you only need two or three drops per bird- it is for large birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and rats.
the matted feathers are the lice eggs attached to the base of the feather- they are hard to remove- -once all the lice are dead you can try to pick them off-or cut them off- if you are using powder then you will need to do it every week for a few weeks as the eggs will hatch- the powder will not kill the eggs- only once they hatch. Don't be too upset by your experience- lice/mites are a very common problem- most poultry keepers have an out break at some time- you just have to keep an eye on the birds :) Hope it hasn't put you off too much :) Let us know how it goes,
regards, David :)
 
Thanks davidd
That makes things abit clearer re ivermectin
what happens if you dont cut away the matted egg sacks . I am not exaggerating when I say the bird would be bald . will the under feathers grow back in once the bird is clear of lice
can you tell i am feeling abit over welmed :shock:
we are also in the process of worming as we discovered lots in the droppings in the coop last week
Its certainly been a steep learning curve !
Should have just stuck to my veggies
tricia
 
Hi Tricia, you can cut the feathers away- they will grow back once the bird moults out- normally in the autumn- it will do no harm but not look too good :) better to be bald and lice free :D The ivermectin will also kill worms- you can get Flubenvet - it is the only licensed poultry wormer- but don't use it together with ivermectin
.
regards, David :)
 
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