Help! I think I've just killed my chicks by accident ☹️

[Phenomenalchooks]

I feel awful and very upset.
Had a minor red mites infestation last week. Not bad but enough for me to seek extra measures.
Cleaned out all hen houses and then was advised to use Indorex spray. Used it and kept hens out for several hours and then let them use it again.
I have a couple of hen houses and the one sprayed is their preferred house. For the last couple of nights they've all decided to not use it anymore and try and squeeze into the on further down. So last night I shut them up and 3 of my 12 week old chicks were running about so I put them in the middle house that was sprayed at the weekend.
Come down this morning and 2 out of the 3 are dead! I'm so upset. They were perfectly healthy otherwise. No marks on them, a good weight etc.
Indorex is supposed to be safe after 1hr so given its been 4 days since I used it, could that really have been what killed them?

 

[ValerieJ]

That's a flea spray, right? Does it say it is safe for chickens? Most people use Pyrethrin or Permethrin around chickens and then greatly diluted. Did you dilute it?

 

[Phenomenalchooks]

It's the flea spray so you can't dilute it

 

[ValerieJ]

It's the flea spray so you can't dilute it

I just don't know if it's safe for chickens. Perhaps someone else here does. I'd say it probably isn't, evidenced by the death of your babies. I'm so sorry this happened.

 

[chickens really]

@Wyorp Rock

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I feel awful and very upset.
Had a minor red mites infestation last week. Not bad but enough for me to seek extra measures.
Cleaned out all hen houses and then was advised to use Indorex spray. Used it and kept hens out for several hours and then let them use it again.
I have a couple of hen houses and the one sprayed is their preferred house. For the last couple of nights they've all decided to not use it anymore and try and squeeze into the on further down. So last night I shut them up and 3 of my 12 week old chicks were running about so I put them in the middle house that was sprayed at the weekend.
Come down this morning and 2 out of the 3 are dead! I'm so upset. They were perfectly healthy otherwise. No marks on them, a good weight etc.
Indorex is supposed to be safe after 1hr so given its been 4 days since I used it, could that really have been what killed them?

I'm sorry for your loss.

There's no way to know for sure the cause of death without having further testing/necropsy performed. If you still have the bodies, refrigerate them and make arrangements with your vet or vet lab.

I'm not familiar with the product you used, you may want to call the manufacturer, they should have that on the packaging. Speak with them about safety concerns.

Even though you are in the UK, there should be Permethrin based poultry sprays/dust or miticides that you can find. Look into Nettex products, I believe they have louse powder, mite kill, etc.

 

[cheekychick3]

Hi There.
So sorry for your loss, i also live in UK. And i believe this Indorex spray,
is Toxic to birds. The reason i know, is because our dog had fleas, and we went to
buy this, and a guy said, this spray is to be used, only on carpets ect. It is not to be sprayed onto any animal. Especially birds, well we have 5 budgies, so bought another
product instead. But it is not your fault, as your chicks were young, and maybe they
picked on the coop itself. And swallowed some. Just scrub the coop out again.
Yet again it could be something else that killed them. But it does make you wonder
that you lost 3 and they were fine ect. You also said, you were advised to use this spray.
Did you buy it from a store ??? if that is the case, they need reporting sorry. As they
will probably be selling it to everyone. This is not your fault though, how was you to know
especially it states safe after an hour, and you waited 4 days. As you know chicks will
peck at anything, plus whoever advised you it was safe, you also placed your trust in
them. How could you possibly know.

 

[ValerieJ]

you were advised to use this spray.
Did you buy it from a store ??? if that is the case, they need reporting sorry. As they
will probably be selling it to everyone.

Totally agree with this. If the store doesn't know something is safe they shouldn't say it is. Unfortunately, many of us go to our local feed store and rely on them for advice. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss.