chick scratching and screaming

[elmi]

Hi guys! i have currently 3 silkies who are 3 weeks old. i have let them run outside almost every day for a couple of hours and then bring them inside back to their brooder. Today after they came inside i noticed one of the chicks scratching its tail and feet and screaming. the others are not doing this. what could cause this ? mites, lice or just feathers growing ? i really have no idead. i would appreciate any help. Thanks.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Could it have gotten into some ants?

 

[elmi]

yes, they were on some stones where there is ants.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

That is likely all that happened. Sometimes I overturn stones so they can eat bugs, and if there are ants there are usually eggs and larvae. They all run over and start chowing down for a few minutes before they start hopping all over trying to get the ants off lol

 

[elmi]

Ah okey. thank you ! but do they get all the way to the tail ? and he/she only started doing it when i brought them inside.

 

[lazy gardener]

Have you inspected her? Can you find any thing amiss???

 

[elmi]

yeah i inspected her and didn't see anything unusual.

 

[chickens really]

Take a pail of boiling water and dump on the ant hill....It kills them.....