Does this sound like mites???

[jenjen]

My hen hatched out her first clutch of eggs on the coop floor in the corner. There was 13 eggs and 11 hatched, (all hatched on day 21) On the next day she left the nest and moved chicks to the other side of the coop. She left the other 2 eggs there. Later that same aftyernoon I went to check on them and the 2 eggs that were left were covered with black specks. I actually thought it was fly poop till I picked one up and all the specks were moving. They were too small to tell what it was. I discarded the two eggs cause she hadn't set on them all day anyway. Does this sound like mites to anyone??????? I bought sevin dust 5% but haven't used it yet. Is it safe for the new chicks to be around???? I would like to take all shavings out of coop and dust everything down. Is this ok?? The hen and chicks are sleeping in a corner on the ground of the coop so they would be right in the Sevin dust. Sorry so long. Please help!! Appreciated

 

[valentinebaby]

Check out this site and see if it answers any of your questions:

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6949

 

[Ridgerunner]

To be honest, I'm not sure what they are. If the eggs had cooled of, I would not think it was northern or roost mites. This site has info on mites including photos so maybe it will help you.

Ohio State – Mites and Lice
http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

I'd change the bedding regardless. And I'd check on the chickens themselves for mites. Remember if they are roost mites, they will only be on the chickens at night.

I'd move the hen and chicks out of the coop when I dusted it. They can go back in right after you dust. They should not breath the dust in any more than they have to. A bit won't hurt them but sure doesn't help them. I'm not sure where a bit ends and starts to become too much. By the same token, I'd wear a breathing mask when I dusted with Sevin. A bit may not hurt you but why put any of that type of stuff in your body when you don't have to.

I do recommend Sevin for mites. As these things go it is about as safe as it could be and still be effective. Just use caution.

 

[jenjen]

Info only..... It was daytime when I saw them. It's kinda dark in the coop, but still sunshine gets in. The eggs were definatley cooled when I picked them up. They almost looked like a fresh hatch of knats?

 

[jenjen]

Thanks for the great links!