Depluming mites dying-Can they take feathers with it? or is it molt?

[hollytruitt]

My flock had depluming mites. I treated with Ivermectin based on Gail Damrow book. 2nd treatment was done last Friday. Since yesterday I noticed the back of the head of several girls are missing feathers quarter size. This was not there last Friday. Is this a molt? When depluming mites are killed by the ivermectin can this cause feather loss in new areas? I also noticed their skin are looking better now than before treatment.

Thanks

 

[Eggcessive]

Did you have the feather mites confirmed by a vet? How much and what strength was the ivermectin? Was it applied on the back of the neck over then spine? Do you have any photos?

 

[hollytruitt]

No vets here. Signs point to depluming mites. There are not much information on this if feather loss continues after 2nd treatment.

Pics in this are the ones we saw yesterday and today.

 

[hollytruitt]

These pictures are before we started ivermectin. Back feathers and vent. Skin was all broken up too and irritated. Skin now looks a lot better and smoother.

 

[hollytruitt]

On back of the head there are no feathers. Its all smooth skin. Could this be a molt due to stress of depluming mites?

 

[Eggcessive]

It may be hard to tell about depluming mites, versus feather picking, rooster damage, or molting. Molting usually happens at about 16-18 months, then yearly thereafter. Stress can bring about a molt. If you have given a sufficient amount of ivermectin twice 14 days apart, it should have treated those. With other body mites and lice, it is good to do a coop cleanout removing bedding far away, the spraying the coop, nests, and roosts with permethrin. I am not completely familiar with feather mites, but those are rarer. Feather picking should always be investigated, since it is very common.

 

[hollytruitt]

It may be hard to tell about depluming mites, versus feather picking, rooster damage, or molting. Molting usually happens at about 16-18 months, then yearly thereafter. Stress can bring about a molt. If you have given a sufficient amount of ivermectin twice 14 days apart, it should have treated those. With other body mites and lice, it is good to do a coop cleanout removing bedding far away, the spraying the coop, nests, and roosts with permethrin. I am not completely familiar with feather mites, but those are rarer. Feather picking should always be investigated, since it is very common.

Coop clean out was done and treated with elector PSP. I am wondering if I put Permithryn powder in the run since they dust bath in the run would it still be harmful for my indoor cats when I come back to the house? We haven't seen any evidence of feather picking. Just to themselves on their back side/vent area. They showed all the signs of depluming mites. They are now sleeping so much better at night, no longer preening excessively, no longer irritated and much calmer... Feathers still broken though but know that will go when they molt this fall.

 

[PetalandHens]

It may be hard to tell about depluming mites, versus feather picking, rooster damage, or molting. Molting usually happens at about 16-18 months, then yearly thereafter. Stress can bring about a molt. If you have given a sufficient amount of ivermectin twice 14 days apart, it should have treated those. With other body mites and lice, it is good to do a coop cleanout removing bedding far away, the spraying the coop, nests, and roosts with permethrin. I am not completely familiar with feather mites, but those are rarer. Feather picking should always be investigated, since it is very common.

Jumping in on this thread. I’m trying to diagnose feather loss and am curious do mites survive in extreme cold? We’ve had low temps last few days of -4 F (-20C) so I’d be surprised, but maybe they are very durable little pests!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is ~19 months old and molting (noticeably) for less than a week. Her tail feathers are all gone And see other feathers in the coop and run. When you handle her she drops a few; she’s all around a little rough.
This is my first flock so always reaching out to BYC with each big change!

Looking at your photos on another thread, your hen is molting, she has new feathers coming in and she doesn't need a saddle.
Adult mites may freeze and die at -4F but eggs can survive. Mites can also live for 8months off the host, so...

Jumping in on this thread. I’m trying to diagnose feather loss and am curious do mites survive in extreme cold? We’ve had low temps last few days of -4 F (-20C) so I’d be surprised, but maybe they are very durable little pests!