Poor old Silkie. Nine years is a long time to share your home with a feathered roommate, and watching him stand around like a tiny, fluffy zombie is genuinely heart-wrenching. Our take? You don't need a rescue mission for the mites yet; you need a targeted strike plan, and you need to stop feeling guilty about the house situation. The real enemy here isn't the bugs themselves, but the panic that makes you reach for the first powder you find. We get it, though, and we're not going to pretend this is simple.
The asthma attack from the DE is a huge, non-negotiable red flag. You can't treat the rooster if you're all struggling to breathe, and that's not a failure, it's just physics. So, let's talk practical. For the bird, you need a liquid miticide that's safe for poultry, applied directly to his skin, not just his feathers. Look for something with permethrin or a similar poultry-specific ingredient, and follow the label like your life depends on it, because his does. Sponge it on, avoid his face, and let him dry in a warm, draft-free room. That's step one. For the house, you're not just vacuuming; you're waging a war on repeat. Wash all bedding in hot water, vacuum every crack and crevice daily, and toss the bag or empty the canister outside immediately. It's a chore, but it's a manageable one. This isn't unlike the situation with My hen's parked for the day: she'll eat but won't put weight on that leg, where the biggest worry is the bird's mobility and eating, not the diagnosis itself. You've got the diagnosis; now you need the logistics.
What we really love about your story is the honesty about the indoor/outdoor divide. Most folks with a house chicken don't admit the feathery chaos that comes with it. And while we're on the topic of mystery feathers, it's worth remembering that Silkies are a special breed, prone to their own quirks, just like the one in Help me crack the code on these velvety mystery feathers. They're not built for the rough-and-tumble life of a barnyard bird, so a mite infestation that a hardy hen might shrug off can knock a Silkie flat. That's why you're seeing the balance issues and the lethargy. He's not being dramatic; he's genuinely weak from blood loss. The good news? Once the mites are gone, he'll likely perk up faster than you think, but you have to be patient and keep his protein up. Scrambled eggs or a little meat baby food can work wonders for a bird who's been through the wringer.
So, here's the concrete takeaway: treat the rooster first with a liquid miticide, then tackle the house with a vengeance, but don't try to do it all in one day. You'll exhaust yourself and miss something. And if he's not showing improvement within 48 hours of the first treatment, call an avian vet. Don't wait for a miracle. The fact that he's made it nine years means he's a tough old bird, but even tough birds need a human who knows when to switch from home remedies to professional help. Watch his balance, watch his appetite, and for the love of all things cluck-tastic, keep the DE far away from your lungs. You've got this, but only if you're methodical. Now, go give that rooster a gentle, mite-free cuddle, and maybe open a window while you're at it.