Feather Mites in Chickens

Feather mites are a common parasite in chickens. Unlike blood mites, feather mites do not suck blood from the chickens but feed on the protein found in the chickens' feathers. These parasites are, in contrast to blood mites, easier to see with the naked eye on the chicken. Another important difference from blood mites is that feather mites do not leave the chicken, which means they can also cause discomfort during the day.

Symptoms of Feather Mites in Chickens

In large numbers, feather mites are easy to recognize in chickens, but when there are only a few, they can be difficult to detect. It takes some time before the chickens start to show symptoms. The symptoms become increasingly severe if the feather mites go unnoticed and their numbers grow. Feather mites resemble flaked pieces of skin among the feathers. Here’s how you can recognize feather mites in chickens:

• Chickens scratch with their beaks among the feathers
• Chickens shake their heads
• Feather loss
• Flaked pieces of skin among the feathers

A chicken usually becomes infested with feather mites through the introduction of new chickens that are already infected. Wild birds also transmit feather mites, especially free-range chickens in the garden, which can easily become infected by wild birds.

Detecting Feather Mites in Chickens

You can discover feather mites in your chickens by observing them with the naked eye. Feather mites are brown in color and are especially easy to see on light-colored chickens. These brownish feather mites live among and on the feathers. It is particularly easy to check around the cloaca by parting the feathers. The eggs of feather mites are laid in small clusters at the base of the feather shaft. These egg clusters resemble a gray chalky layer.

Treatment of Chickens for Feather Mites

Feather mites can only be effectively treated with an internal product in chickens. Since feather mites reside between the feathers, treatment with a spray, for example, is very difficult. Therefore, opt for a natural, internal herbal product. Internal products based on Echinacea, astragalus, uncaria, gentian, thyme, citronellol, and citronellal make the blood and skin flakes of the chicken indigestible for the mites. As a result, the feather mite cannot reproduce, and the population of feather mites will gradually decrease.

An external spray based on silicon dioxide can provide supportive effects, but a dust bath is also effective against feather mites. Choose a bathing sand that is mineral-based and has a uniform grain size. This type of sand adheres best between the feathers and thus has the most effective action.

Don't forget to optimize the chickens' immunity as well.

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