Even if you don’t observe a problem, applying the powder periodically as a preventative measure is advisable.
Once a month should be enough, but all these parasites breed extremely quickly if left unattended. Sprinkle the powder under the tail, under the wings, along the body, up the neck including the ear canals, and over the back. To apply, hold the bird by its legs, turn it on its back and place on the ground or a table, pressing it down gently to hold it still. The previous three parasites can be controlled by the use of louse powder (or spray). These mites live on the bird and can be found anywhere, but especially under the tail and in the crest of crested breeds. Northern Fowl Mite is a bloodsucker and will eventually kill a bird if left. The de-pluming mite is hard to see as it is very small and is usually found in the head and neck region. The bird is better off without these, but they are not life threatening. It lays its eggs at the base of the feathers forming a clump of what looks like white sugar. The common poultry louse is yellow in colour and flat in shape and lives mostly under the tail. However are usually brown in colour and less firm in consistency. Caecal droppings are produced about every eight-to-tenth dropping and vary in colour and consistency depending on the vegetation eaten. It is also important to know what normal droppings look like. Providing a quality feed and fresh clean water are vital for healthy livestock. Broken and/or missing feathers on the back of the neck and back of the females may be due to over/vigorous attention from the male bird. Lack of feathers on the neck sides may be due to the other hens or the de-pluming mite. Missing feathers at the tail could be due to other hens pulling them out due to mineral deficiency or stress. Lack of feathers could be due to the annual moult (late summer/autumn) on any part of the body. Clean vent and surrounding feathers with no unpleasant odour.Red face & comb (although some breeds have a naturally dark face & comb).Positive signs of good health in poultry include: