Mites - where did they come from?

[Onyxflock]

I've been battling a mite infestation that's affecting 2 of my 5 hens. I've done all of the suggested things. Cleaned and sprayed their run and houses. Covered everything with DME and dusted the girls in a deep pan with DME. About 3 weeks later I dusted them again lightly. Trimmed the Rosemary and keep fresh branches all over.
One hen a RIR-Leghorn mix was the worst so she got a lavender bath a week or so later. I hoped it would sooth her bright red bum. Her tail feathers are just stems, not much feathers. Pictures - Rosie
A few weeks later she got another lavender bath as well as 1 of the Brahmas.

What else can I do? They look like they could use another dusting - but they hate being caught, let alone dusted!
I do not know where the mites came from. for the first year and half, I never had this problem. They wild birds go in and out and the hens free range.
I give them flakes of field grain - bale from the local feed store. Could that bale be bringing mites into their house?
I'm not certain starting toxic chemical drops is the way to go - but it sounds like it works.
Anybody - help if you have been successful at this...

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you seen mites on the skin crawling around? When you have a mite infestation, you need to use a proven product to get rid of them before your chickens become anemic and die. Straw can harbor mites, so it could be possible that you have brought them in on something. To get rid of mites, the chickens must be treated with something like permethrin spray or garden dust, or Elector PSP. Permethrin 10 concentrate by Martins or Gordons from your feed store can be mixed with water with the label instructions and it goes pretty far in a spray bottle or garden sprayer. 15 ml is enough for most chickens. The coop, nests, and roosts must be treated once old bedding is removed.

Treat at least 2-3 times to get the mites, and then 7 days later to get the newly hatched ones before they reproduce. DE which irritates eyes and breathing of both you and your chickens, is worthless to treat an acute outbreak.

 

[Onyxflock]

Have you seen mites on the skin crawling around? When you have a mite infestation, you need to use a proven product to get rid of them before your chickens become anemic and die. Straw can harbor mites, so it could be possible that you have brought them in on something. To get rid of mites, the chickens must be treated with something like permethrin spray or garden dust, or Elector PSP. Permethrin 10 concentrate by Martins or Gordons from your feed store can be mixed with water with the label instructions and it goes pretty far in a spray bottle or garden sprayer. 15 ml is enough for most chickens. The coop, nests, and roosts must be treated once old bedding is removed.

Treat at least 2-3 times to get the mites, and then 7 days later to get the newly hatched ones before they reproduce. DE which irritates eyes and breathing of both you and your chickens, is worthless to treat an acute outbreak.

Thank you SO much! I looked up the Elector PSP, it's a bit expensive. But maybe my Feed store can give me a similar product.
By the way - I was worried about her nutrition considering the way she looked. I'm giving them Rooster Booster in their mash and plenty of sunflower and a fly larvae enhanced feed. I'm starting with minced garlic in addition, and always have used cider vinegar a couple of times/week in their water.
I want to get this infestation in control before it gets cold and they molt - so they'll be all shiny and new and pest free.
Looks like my long weekend is already scheduled at the Chick Shack!

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are some good articles with more info:
https://poultryhealthinspection.ucd...-files/treatment-of-lice-mites-of-poultry.pdf

https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/