I’m a planner. When starting something new, I like to know what to expect so that I can be as ready as possible to deal with things as they come up. Before I got my first chickens, I read every book, article, and online forum I could find to see if I was ready to become a chicken owner. The majority of my research was extremely encouraging, however, each time I read the ‘external parasites’ and ‘diseases’ discussions, I promptly convinced myself that keeping chickens was for the insane. I wasn’t interested in learning how to identify or get rid of any of the many diseases and creepy crawlies that were around. Frankly, the long list of insects that could possibly live on my proposed pets made me itch.
I don’t know what it was that tilted the scales in favor of taking the plunge, perhaps it was the cute photos of baby chicks or the promise of a daily Easter egg hunt. Regardless, I’m here to tell you that most of the bad things that could go wrong with a chicken usually don’t and of the things that commonly do go wrong, they tend not to happen simultaneously. So, we handle them one at a time as they come up and maintain a general awareness of the possibilities. That is certainly true of external parasites. There are many types of external parasites, but being able to identify each is not as important as being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of an infestation generally and how to treat it.
Monthly or bi-monthly flock inspections of each chicken should be performed in order to identify and address parasites before an infestation worsens and birds begin exhibiting signs of parasites. Particular attention should be paid to brooding hens as they dust-bathe less frequently than usual and are especially vulnerable to parasites. Some of the common signs of any type of mite or lice infestation in a chicken are decreased activity or listlessness, pale comb, changes in appetite, a drop in egg production, weight loss, feather-pulling, bald spots, redness or scabs on the skin, dull, ragged-looking feathers.
The two most common categories of external parasites are mites and poultry lice. Poultry lice are NOT the same as human head lice and people cannot contract lice from chickens.
How To Tell If Your Chicken Is Molting Or Has Mites
Molting and mites – two common issues chicken owners face. But how do you know which one your chicken is experiencing? Being able to identify the differences between chicken molting and mites is crucial for getting your flock healthy again quickly. In this article, we’ll go over the signs, symptoms, and methods to determine whether your chicken is simply molting or has a mite infestation.
What Is Molting?
When chickens molt, they naturally get rid of old, worn-out feathers and grow new ones. It happens in flocks all at once about once or twice a year when the days get shorter. When a chicken molts, bald spots and pinfeathers show up on its feathers. They may also experience decreased egg production and appetite changes. Each moult lasts for four to six weeks and starts at the head and neck. New feather growth signals the molt is ending.
Signs Of Molting:
- Starts at head and neck, moving downwards
- Pinfeathers emerging in bald spots
- Decreased egg production
- Ruffled, scruffy appearance
- Appetite changes
- Occurs seasonally 1-2 times per year
What Are Chicken Mites?
The chicken mites are tiny parasites that live on the chicken and feed on its blood. They can itch, damage feathers, irritate the skin, and in severe cases, even kill or cause anemia. Mites are hard to find because they hide during the day and hatch at night. You should know about the following types of chicken mites:
- Northern fowl mites – most common overall
- Red roost mites – found at night
- Scaly leg mites – burrow into leg scales
Signs Of Mites:
- Visible bugs on feathers and skin
- Eggs at base of feather shafts
- Increased preening and feather picking
- Bald areas, mainly by vent
- Scabs on legs and feet
- Pale combs and wattles indicating anemia
- Irritation and reduced egg production
How To Check For Mites
To check for mites, examine chickens at night when mites are most active. Part and gently blow on feathers to reveal the skin. Look for crawling bugs and black dots clinging to the base of feathers. Check the vent area and under wings carefully. If you see any signs of mites, treat your flock right away before they worsen.
Molting Vs. Mites: Key Differences
Molting happens seasonally, while mites can occur year-round. Mites cause irritation, feather picking and bald vent areas. Molting starts at the head and moves down the body. Pinfeathers emerge during molts, but not with mites.
By knowing the signs of molting vs. mites, you can quickly identify what’s troubling your flock. Address mites immediately to prevent ongoing blood loss and anemia. Support molting chickens with extra protein until new feathers grow in. With proper care, your chickens will be back to normal health and production levels in no time.
Poultry Lice
Poultry lice are fast-moving, 6-legged, flat insects with round heads that live only on the chicken and its feathers. They are beige or straw-colored and are typically found at the base of feather shafts near the vent. Poultry lice feed on dead skin and other debris such as feather quill casings. When you part the feathers near the vent to look for parasites, you can see them for a short time as they fly away. The eggs laid by the female are seen at the bases of feather shafts.
Mites
Northern fowl mites and Red Roost Mites are two of the most common poultry mites. These tiny, eight-legged insects can live both on the chicken and in the coop. They are partial to cracks and crevices in wood, roosts, and inside nesting boxes.
In the evening, you can often see mites along feather shafts and under roosts. They are gray, dark brown, or reddish. Mites are active at night when they venture out to leech blood from chickens. With its moist, rich blood supply, the vent area is a favorite feeding ground of mites.
Typical signs of a mite infestation are scabs near the vent, eggs on the feathers and feather shafts and a light-colored bird’s feathers may appear dirty in spots where the mites have left droppings and debris. A heavy mite infestation can lead to anemia and the death of a chicken. Mites will bite humans, causing minor irritation in the affected area (and an urgent desire to take a gasoline shower).
Chickens Molting Or Something Else? 9 REASONS Chickens LOSE Feathers And What To Do About It!
FAQ
How do I know if my chickens are molting?
There are a few key indicators that you can use to tell if your chickens are molting or have mites. The biggest indicator would be if you actually see the mites themselves. Check your chicken’s vent area. If you see bugs it’s definitely mites. It’s likely mites if the vent area is dirty or losing feathers.
How do you know if a chicken has mites?
The most obvious sign, though, is when you examine your chickens individually. Look for groups of mites and eggs, especially near the vent and at the base of the feathers under the wings. The best time to examine your chickens is at night, as that’s when mites feed.
What do chicken mites look like in a coop?
These mites live in all the cracks and crevices of the coop. They love to live in wooden coops the most. The mites emerge at night to feed on the chickens’ blood and return to their hideaway during the day. They are normally a whitish/grey color but after feeding they will appear red.
What happens if a chicken molts?
When chickens molt, they essentially lose their feathers and grow new ones. Chickens have to molt every so often, but if they are not well taken care of, it can be dangerous for them. It is important to know when your chicken is molting so that you can help it stay healthy. Your chicken’s feathers are looking dull.
Do chickens molt?
Molting is a natural process when chickens shed off their existing feathers and begin to grow new ones. Many chickens can go through the molting process with ease and grace, rarely showing any signs besides reduced egg-laying. Other chickens can have a hard time during the molting process and may struggle at times.
Do chickens have mites?
They belong to the Acari family and are distant relatives of ticks, spiders and scorpions. Mites are commonly spread to chickens from wild birds, as all types of bird can suffer from mites. Once established mites will move from bird to bird increasing the population of mites as they go.
What does a chicken that has mites look like?
Scaly leg mites can easily be diagnosed by examining the feet and legs of your chickens. Scaly leg mites cause raised scales on a chicken’s feet and legs. You may also notice that the scales look like they have debris clogged underneath them or are oozing out keratin as the parasites feed.
What does molting look like in a chicken?
You’ll notice that some chickens have a major molt and drop so many feathers that they look like a porcupine with mainly pin feathers visable. Others lose just a small amount and look about the same except their tail is shorter or their colors look a little different.