How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Is Something Seriously Wrong with my Chickens and is my whole flock at risk

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Re: [CHICKENS-101] Is Something Seriously Wrong with my Chickens and is my whole flock at risk

Hi Gary, dust baths are great but if birds are very infested with exoparasites more aggressive treatment might be necessary. Not saying yours are infested - but take a peek at their vents, necks, under wings.....if they are infested you will see tiny bugs at the base of the feathers, sometimes running around on the skin, and also possibly big whitish clumps in the feathers around the vent and neck areas.

Some exoparasites can be treated by dusting the birds with permetherin powder; others must be treated with Ivermectin (this is given orally). But first take a look, see if there are bugs on your birdies, identify them and go from there.

Good luck -- it's clear that you love your birds and I sure hope you figure it out and that they get better!

Jenny

On Thu, Aug 23, 2012 at 9:02 PM, Gary Fletcher <gary@garyfletcher.us> wrote:

Jenny,

Thanks for your reply. Yes I have treated their coup and run with permethrin 10%, but I refuse to spray it directly on them. They take dust baths all over my back yard and have holes everywhere. What else would you recommend? Thanks.

Gary

From: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jenny Hunter

Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2012 10:42 PM
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Is Something Seriously Wrong with my Chickens and is my whole flock at risk

Have you treated for exoparasites? Could be mites or lice. Hope they pull through for you.

Jenny