Ack! I am crawling with tiny bugs!!

[JessicaGrant]

I just managed to pick up my most skittish hen and when I put her down my shirt was crawling with little bugs. I don't know what they are but what can I do about them? Are they harmful to the birds?? This girl has been wearing a saddle since I got her because the others were pecking at her and I only just took it off. Will she be less likely to host these bugs now she isn't wearing it? Thanks!

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Do you think it might be lice?

If she has a parasite infection, you should definitely do something about it. It will jump from her to the other members of your flock, and lice can decimate baby chicks by making them anemic.

 

[JessicaGrant]

Is there a post that describes different pests? They were about a mm (or less) light brown and fairly nondescript. I don't know what lice look like! My girls are between 9 and 19 weeks old. Would they be at risk? Thanks!

 

[hoosierhen]

Maybe mites. Some people use DE (diatomaceous earth) to control mites, fleas, and lice. They also make poultry spray for this. I know they carry it at Rural King, I've seen it. Tractor Supply probably has something for it too.

 

[JessicaGrant]

OK, I just took a spoon and used it to sprinkle DE over all my chickens as I put them to bed (does it matter that it wasn't very even?) I hope it helps! That was really disgusting!!

 

[goldensunriseranch]

I use DE in the bedding but I spray my birds with Scalex before introducing them to my flock or if I think I might have a problem. And here is a link to a page that describes both lice & mites.
http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html


Also something I picked up at Tractor Supply recently is a powder/dust. But I haven't had to use it yet.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...10551_10001_34538_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1