Depluming Mites - Help!

[DMac]

Hi

I think 2 of my birds have depluming mites. Thay have had bare red bums for a while now.

I've had a look at some pictures and think it may be this mite! I've read that Flowers of sulphur will kill them, but not sure how to put it on. Would it be better to use Sudo cream or E45? I would rather this method than giving them a bath as its a bit cold at the moment!

Do you need to withdraw the eggs when you are treating them? How often should i put it on? Will it harm them if they peck at it?

Any suggestiones would be appreciated!

[RichmondHens]

I've never come across this on my birds, but have just looked up to see what Victoria Roberts says and she says the depluming mite usually causes feather loss on the neck. Treatment recommended is a pyrethrum based louse powder. You don't say what breed your birds are but apparently the depluming mite favours hard feather breeds such as Game.

Are you sure the bare bums aren't due to the common louse? Have you checked them all for lice? Chickens with a lice infestation get bare red areas where they constantly try and get to the bit where the lice are irritating them.

[DMac]

I've checked them over and they have no mites or lice.

I have 1 Black rock, 1 LS and one bluebelle, the light sussex is not affected in any way. She has all her feathers! I've tried anti pecking spray but this has had no effect. I was going to give the Flowers of sulphur a try, It may not work but I don't think it will do them any harm either. I could be wrong but i'm not sure what else to do?

[Scarlet]

Are you sure it's not the light sussex feather pecking?

[RichmondHens]

I was about to say that Scarlet! In the absence of lice, and the fact that the LS has all her feathers, it does look rather like she is the culprit.

[Scarlet]

Ha! My typing skills are getting better, I'm getting faster on the keyboard

[DMac]

I've never seen her doing it - she may be getting hungry during the night! I have seen my Black Rock trying to pull out feathers from the other 2. (trying to get them out of the dust bath!)

I haven't seen any feathers in the run but they may be eating them. I've been adding milk powder into a wet mash once a day to increase the protein and calcuim levels.

Is there anything else i can do?

[Scarlet]

Its a difficult habit to break and can be started by boredom. Is your run big enough? Give them some things to do, hanging broccoli on a string etc. You can also get beak clips that do work, another grape uses them.

I think he had a thread going on here earlier - will try to find it. I think he increased his pen size and he looked at protein intake

[RichmondHens]

As Scarlet says could be due to boredom. They won't eat in the night as they will be asleep but if they are awake in the house for a long time before you let them out they could peck each other then. Increase the run size if you can and add lots of entertainment - hung up greens/stuff to dig in and scratch about. If your run is big enough add things like logs/branches that they can jump on and run round. Feed only pellets or mash, and up the protein by adding some chopped boiled egg. Avoid other treats (including corn) to ensure they fill up on proper food and not treats.