Gross bugs on my broody and chicks - Picture

[chicknshrimp]

I have a broody that just hatched 3 chicks today and is still sitting on 4 eggs. We have never had parasites on any of our flock before and when we checked her this am we saw this on her nest box. Im going to clean out all bedding and thoroughly clean the main coop and her tractor but how should I go about treating her with the babies? Should I give her remaining 4 eggs another day or so (they're on day 22) before cleaning her box out? And will food grade DE be enough or do I need to dust with the chemical stuff.

Thanks!

 

[chicknshrimp]

Hopefully this one is bigger

 

[iwiw60]

They kind of big for mites, but they do resemble them.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/search?q=mites

 

[chicknshrimp]

Ok this one actually IS bigger

 

[chicknshrimp]

They kind of big for mites, but they do resemble them.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/search?q=mites

Thats what I thought too, thanks!

 

[iwiw60]

How bizzare (sp?) ....I haven't a clue for you...so sorry!

 

[KittieChick]

Are the bugs on the chicken as well as the nest box? If she isn't infested, would it be reasonable to put her in a fresh box with her eggs and chicks and then do a debug on the original box?

 

[DoubletakeFarm]

If it was me I would let her sit a few more days. She's probably had those (mites?) for a while, a few more days isn't going to hurt. You need to assume that they are everywhere and dust with Sevin Dust everywhere. Unfortunately, the company doesn't sell it in the large bags anymore, so like me, you're stuck with those stupid little shaker cans.

I dust everytime I clean the coop out and lay new straw down. Works great and isn't harmful to livestock. I know some people don't like to use chemicals, but I would rather do that than deal with a mite infestation.

Good luck!

 

[Fancychooklady]

Because Broodiies are just sitting around doing nothing for 21 days they are very susceptible to lice and mites,I always dust my Broodiies at the begining of their confinement so that the powder isn't getting into the chicks eyes whilst they are under momma. That being said you will need to treat them all for lice cause those look like northern red fowl mites. DE will not treat an infestation like this unfortunately you will need to use sevine or a permethrin based product. You will need to empty the box out and spray it from top to bottom with an insecticide and let it dry before you put the chicks back in. There are also some sprays that can be used on poultry. I wouldn't leave it too long before you treat them as the effects of lice on young birds can be detrimental .
Here is some additional information on the bugs.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig140