Help! My chickens have feather-eating mites!

[pinfeather]

I put some lanolin on the breast of one of my chickens when I noticed a spot where feathers were breaking off. I thought she might be feather plucking or might have mites and thought the lanolin would either give her something else to do or it might smother the mites if that was the problem. Now I'm noticing there are spots on the breast of two other chickens - they can't all be feather plucking! What will kill mites that won't hurt the chickens?

[Deleted]

Dust baths with some wood ash and/or Diatomaceous earth. Also coat the roosts with oils. Certain herbs in the nests. There are sprays and dusts, be careful some need you to not use the eggs for a time....James

Here is some info. www.fresheggsdaily.com/2013/02/mites-how-to-prevent-them-and-treat.html

[pinfeather]

Thank you! Already have wood ash out from the stove, will put some oil on the roosts.

[Bear Foot Farm]

Now I'm noticing there are spots on the breast of two other chickens - they can't all be feather plucking!

If they are the same age they could all be molting at this time of year

You should be able to see Feather mites
www.bing.com/images/search?q=Feather+mites&go=Submit&qs=bs&form=QBILPG

I'd not only treat the birds, but I'd spray the coop, roosts, and nest boxes with Sevin liquid

ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html