Well, I'm back in after treating for the mites and taking a long shower. YUCK!! I'm so glad I noticed them last night. My babies would have been gonners in a matter of hours if I hadn't gotten them. The bedding was absolutely INFESTED. I moved the eggs and shoveled it into a plastic bag. By the time I finished, they were completely covering the sides of the bag! Saturday night I only saw a few on her (none on the eggs), and by today they were a swarm.
I dusted her with Sevin (now called something else), as well as the nesting area. I even dusted the eggs then wiped it off. I hope I didn't move the eggs around too much, or use too much of the powder. I tried to be gentle but I was so freaked out when I saw how many there were. I put the powder in a paper bag and then put Sunshine in it up to her neck. This was NOT and easy thing to do. She thrashed around and made raptor noises I have never heard from them before, ripped up the bag with her talons, and meanwhile the BR, Ebony, had to be in the middle of it all (as usual) and started pecking her on the head. HARD. I finally had to put Sunshine down and lock Ebony in the coop, and catch Sunshine again to finish dusting her. Meanwhile Ebony just stood there and yelled at me from inside the coop while I finished the process. I'm so worried about the eggs getting moved around so much, but at least my faithful broody went right back to sitting after she had a bite to eat and some water. I don't see anymore alive on her. She is just speckled with dead ones, even all over her beautiful tail. Whew, that was a job. I'm going to rest while my son takes a nap. He feels like his fever may be higher, and just told me his ear hurts. Not good.
It's funny how the eggs almost feel hallow now that the chicks inside have absorbed most of the fluid. I do hope they hatch okay.... they need a little icon of a smily face bitting it's nails on here.
Beautiful families, Tartannick and Oesdog - I love the big fluffy dog, too! I wish I could post my son's first little school picture he got this week, but they only give you prints. You'd think they would get with the times and e-mail a digital copy!
It's funny how the eggs almost feel hallow now that the chicks inside have absorbed most of the fluid. I do hope they hatch okay.... they need a little icon of a smily face bitting it's nails on here.
Beautiful families, Tartannick and Oesdog - I love the big fluffy dog, too! I wish I could post my son's first little school picture he got this week, but they only give you prints. You'd think they would get with the times and e-mail a digital copy!
