{"id":1841,"date":"2019-05-28T09:57:22","date_gmt":"2019-05-28T14:57:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chikchikchicken.com\/?p=1841"},"modified":"2020-06-06T16:18:56","modified_gmt":"2020-06-06T21:18:56","slug":"common-parasites-in-backyard-chickens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chikchikchicken.com\/index.php\/2019\/05\/28\/common-parasites-in-backyard-chickens\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Parasites in Backyard Chickens"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Last year, when we got Hazel, little did I know but she had two of the most common parasites in backyard chickens – lice and scaly leg mites<\/em><\/strong>. I was new to backyard chickens and had no idea what signs to look for. When we decided to add additional birds to our flock<\/a>, I knew I wanted a Golden Laced. They are just gorgeous! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We quarantined the new birds. I knew that much and the following day I gave her a chicken check-up<\/a><\/strong>. That\u2019s when we discovered the lice! Then I noticed that the scales on her legs were rough and raised and her legs looked thick. It was scaly leg mites! OMG! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I started doing a lot of research on common parasites in backyard chickens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scaly Leg Mites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scaly leg mites are pretty easy to diagnose. They live under the scales on the chicken\u2019s feet and legs. You won\u2019t be able to see them, but you\u2019ll know if your bird\u2019s scales are raised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Your chicken\u2019s leg will look rough, scabby, or possibly crusty. They burrow under the scales and eat the tissue and skin. The scales and legs will be sensitive, and your bird may be limping. If not treated, it can cause deformities, loss of toes, and even death. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first thing I did was apply a good amount of Vaseline to Hazel\u2019s legs to suffocate the mites. Then I decided to reassess in the morning. (I was a little overwhelmed and freaked out).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Treat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the severity, you may need to soak the legs in warm water to loosen the scales. Some people will also use a soft toothbrush. Just be gentle and don\u2019t pull the scales off. With Hazel, I just let them fall off naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I applied Vaseline in the morning and evening for three days. Then repeated each week for three weeks. Make sure you get up to where the feathers start. We treated the other girls with Vaseline, for good measure, but luckily, no one else got them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a good idea to treat the chicken coop also. Some parasites require a live host, but scaly leg mites can survive without it. We used Manna Pro Poultry Protector. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We could tell pretty quickly that the Vaseline was working. The crusty scales were falling off and her legs no longer looked thick. Man, was I glad this worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Treatment Options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If the Vaseline doesn\u2019t work, there are several other options. You can soak the legs in vegetable oil, olive oil, mineral or linseed oil. Next use a soft toothbrush and brush the oil into the scales then apply a thick coat of Vaseline. This helps loosen the scales up even more so the Vaseline can get down in there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"scaly
Legs improving from Scaly Leg Mites<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Some people swear by dipping the legs in gasoline. I just\ncouldn\u2019t do this! Although if it was between losing a bird and this method, I\nwould. This is a three-day treatment. No need to repeat each week. On the first\nday, dip the legs in gasoline. Don\u2019t scrub. Allow to completely dry then apply A&D original diaper cr\u00e8me ointment. Purchase\nthe cheap gasoline no need for high octane. The gasoline gets under the scales,\nkilling adult lice and nits. The A&D promotes healing. On day 2, no\ngasoline just use the A&D ointment. Then on day 3, repeat day 1 treatment.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scaly leg mites are more prevalent in the Spring and Summer and they are transmitted by wild birds and mice<\/a><\/strong>. Their life span is three weeks so it\u2019s important to do the Vaseline treatment at least this long to kill any nits that hatch.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your birds may lose weight and you may see a drop in egg production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At some point your birds will come in contact with lice. A dirt bath area<\/a><\/strong> is a must have for prevention. Lice are also spread by wild birds.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will see lice on the vent area, under the wings, on the breast, and the feather part of the legs. The eggs will be attached to the feather shaft close to the body. Lice suck the blood of the bird causing anemia and sometimes death. Your bird may be withdrawn and lethargic. In worse cases, their combs will be dull and pale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Buttercup and Marble in the dust bath<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We first used a poultry spray on birds. Herb sprayed the vent, under the wings, and the neck and breast area then we repeated this each week for three weeks. The eggs hatch in 5 days so a second treatment was probably all that was necessary but since I was treating for scaly leg mites\u2026.why not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our chickens didn\u2019t really like the spray. I\u2019m sure because it was wet and cold, so we purchased poultry dust<\/a> and applied a month later as a preventative. The birds were much calmer using this treatment. We applied in the same areas: vent, under the wings, and under the neck.   I\u2019ll use this if we ever have to treat in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lice can live a week off the host so you should also treat the coop and roost. I used the poultry spray and when it dried, I sprinkled DE around the baseboards and in the corners of the hen house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life span of lice is 4-6 weeks. Your birds may be scratching and experience weight loss as well.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northern Fowl Mite<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Northern Fowl Mites can be seen crawling on eggs in the nest\nor in the vent area of your chicken. The skin in the vent area may be crusty, scabby\nor look soiled around the feathers. The Northern Fowl Mite will lay eggs on the\nshaft of the feather and leave excrement at the base near the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northern Fowl mite eggs hatch within a day. They generally\nlive for a week on the bird but can live two months off the host. They are more\nprevalent in winter and will cause anemia and even death.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tropical Fowl Mite, seen in Texas, resembles the Northern Fowl mite and found mostly in the nest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chicken mites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chicken mites also known as the Red Mite or Roost Mite are\ncommonly carried by sparrows. Its life span is 10 days but can live in the coop\nfor 6 months. They live in the coop, on roost bars, behind nest boxes and in\ncracks and crevices. You may see them crawling on the eggs after being laid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chicken mites feed on the bird at night and hide in the coop\nduring the day. Because they can live off the chicken, the coop area needs to\nbe treated. Ivermectin is effective but can be expensive depending on the how\nlarge the area is that needs to be treated. A high-pressure sprayer is a good\noption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you use Ivermectin, it has an egg withdrawal period of 7 days. Any eggs laid during this time need to be thrown away.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your chicken’s feathers may look worn or broken. They may even lose their feathers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prevention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To help fight off common parasites a lot of people will add garlic to their chicken\u2019s feed. It\u2019s thought that parasites don\u2019t like the way garlic taste. Garlic has many medicinal properties<\/a>, so in addition to parasites, your birds will get an added health benefit.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neem Oil<\/a> is another natural pesticide that can help battle common parasites. The Bearded Rooster uses it in his garden instead of commercial pesticides. Great to use to treat the coop area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"fluffy<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To try and get ahead of parasites, be diligent in keeping the coop clean<\/a>. When cleaning, I look for any creepie crawlies. I add food grade DE<\/a> as a preventative in the coop and around the fence areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve recently started putting it in their food to help cut down on flies. The food grade is okay if digested but there\u2019s a lot of discussion if it\u2019s helpful once it\u2019s swallowed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best defenses against mites and lice is a dust bath area<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> Our chickens love to dust bathe. If you don\u2019t set one up, they will usually find a place. Ours took over an area where my husband was growing vegetables. I\u2019m going to set up an additional one in the coop with a small plastic kiddie pool. With all the rain we\u2019ve had, their dust bath area is muddy, and they\u2019ve missed bathing many days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to look for with common parasites for backyard chickens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n