Feather prob. Help?

[lettucegrow!]

Hi all , need some help with one if my girls. She has a patch Of baldness on her feathers on her wing at the base of the feathers. It's as though the feathers have gone bald at the base. The flesh looks slightly swollen but that's all .
Unsure what this is. She's ok, just doesn't look very pretty!

[RichmondHens]

Is the area itchy? Is she preening and nibbling at the feathers a lot? Could be depluming mite.

[lettucegrow!]

No she doesn't seem to be bothered at all. Would I be able to see them on her? And how do I get rid of them if it's that?

[lettucegrow!]

Thanks,richmondhens,have googled images and it looks like it could be that. Treatment can be bought on line with an amazing diference in price. Cheaper if it has a pic of a bunny on it!

[RichmondHens]

If she is not itchy then unlikely to be mite then. She would be pecking at the area a lot and sometimes pulling the feathers out. the mites burrow into the skin so not visible like lice are. Apparently washing the whole bird (and for that matter all the birds) in a mild pyrethrum based shampoo (eg dog shampoo) is supposed to work. We've never had it here (touches wood) so can't speak from first hand experience, just going from what I've read.

[RichmondHens]

Thanks,richmondhens,have googled images and it looks like it could be that. Treatment can be bought on line with an amazing diference in price. Cheaper if it has a pic of a bunny on it!

Be careful what you put on, there may be an egg withdrawal. It would be worth ringing the vet to check before use even if you haven't bought it from him. I did a bit of Googling and one thing people did say made a difference was the pyrethrum shampoo, some of the spot ons, sprays and even Ivermectin didn't always make any difference. Like anything though some infestations are left to get so bad before the owner does anything (or even notices, ha ha) that they take a bit of tackling. Yours sounds like it is in the early stages so if it is that you should be able to knock on the head pretty quickly.

[lettucegrow!]

It did recommend egg withdrawel ,more because it's not licenced for hens. I've always been able to catch any ailments quickly, probably because I only have 4 and they'tre used to me being up close ! Will give the shampoo a try first I think. The skin does look raised and a bit 'oozey '. Will havev another look at her today.
Thanks again.