Bantam eggs pipping. WHITE Bugs crawling on them HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cackling Hen]

I have my Bantam hen in a dog crate with new pine shavings her eggs are pipping. I took a peek at the eggs and there are these tiny white looking bugs crawling on them........ Is it mites Will it hurt the chicks should i take a look at mama hen and see if she has mite

 

[Friend2Fowl]

It is mites, you need to dust her with garden dust or the mites will kill the babies. I lost one last year from them, I didn't even know my birds had them! It could be lice, but either way, they are blood suckers. If there is a big infestation, they can and will kill the babies.

 

[Cackling Hen]

Oh no Ok I have to wait until morning Should i check mama right now!!!!!! Thank you

 

[Kiwibird]

Just dust the accessible parts of the mother right now without disturbing her, as she may break eggs if she panics. Sprinkle it from above her, and let her get on with hatching. When she has got off the chicks herself, pick her up and give her a very thorough dusting including her underfluff. The chicks will move in and out form under her and dust themselves sufficiently in the process.

 

[Cackling Hen]

Ok I have never dusted my Flock so I guess today is the day

Thank you Kiwibird for your help

 

[Kiwibird]

When you pick the mother up and dust her thoroughly, consider wearing sunglasses or goggles and a mask. I had a very angry broody flick the powder into my eyes and my mouth, which had been open because I was saying soothing words to her. It is entirely possible that I then said something less soothing, as I then reread the safety instructions, which had been seriously contravened!

I hosed out my eyes and mouth, and lived to tell the tale, but I am pretty cautious these days.

 

[Cackling Hen]

Oh no thats horrible... Your lucky Yuck Im always talking sweet to my mamas I want to thank you for relpying to my post