Bugs on babies

[HeidiN]

Had a broody hen hatch out eggs 4 days ago. Hadn’t noticed lice or mites this spring, but we just noticed the babies have tiny brown bugs crawling around on their heads. What can we do, they’re only 4 days old? We plan to do spring coop cleaning and dust all the adult areas tomorrow, but what is safe treatment for the babies and mama? We brought her and the babies into a private space, in the garage, till they get a little bigger.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sounds like mites but double check against photos online to be sure.

Mama can be dusted with permethrin dust. For the babies, due to the fact that mites can cause anemia, I'd consider dusting them as well. Maybe just gently patting a little bit of dust under belly and around the vent. If mama was well dusted she'll probably dust the chicks' backs and heads for you as the chicks warm up under her.