HELP PLEASE!! with 3-day old chicks

[Leghorn Junction]

1. My 6 beautiful 3-day old silkies are scratching their necks, scratching under their wings with their beaks, and twitching their heads while sleeping. I can't see anything, but could they have mites? They're in the house, not around other chickens. Is it safe to use a little Permethrin in the bottom of their brooder when I change their bedding? Or could it something else?

2. Also they like to eat the tiny little bits of shavings...will it hurt them?

I've looked all over for help and would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

 

[Soccer Mom]

When you say "scratching", what do you mean? Are they rubbing on things? Or could they just be preening. I wouldn't expect 3 day olds to have mites unless the area was infested or they came from someplace infested.

I wouldn't use any medication. IT sounds more like normal chicken behavior.

And chicks pick at the shavings, but they'll be just fine.

 

[Leghorn Junction]

Nope...born in the new incubator in the house and now in the new "brooder" in the house. That's what my husband said he thought it was -- just typical behavior and preening. Maybe I'm just a nervous first-time "mom". I appreciate your response very much.

 

[Elite Silkies]

I wouldn't put them on shavings until they are at least a week old. I had a few shaking their heads like that. But, the outcome was not good. But, I do not know that your's are doing the same thing that mine were either. They would just twitch their heads.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree.

 

[Leghorn Junction]

Thanks so much. I feel better. But of course I will be watching them closely.

 

[gritsar]

Something else to consider that just occured to me. Is there any chance that the shavings got contaminated with tiny bugs, fleas, etc. before you put the chicks on them?

 

[Leghorn Junction]

That is possible, since the bag of shavings were in the same shed as the chicken coop, even though I try to treat out there regularly. They scratch their necks/heads with their feet, pick under their wings with their beaks, and shake their little heads. It may not hurt anything to put a little Permethrin dust down when I change their bedding?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Got any DE? I'd be real leary of exposing them to the permethrin at such a young age, but maybe that's just me.

Even using DE I'd go light on it and take the chicks out while treating the shavings, due to the dust.

 

[Soccer Mom]

I'd also be leary of exposing them at this young age. Inspect the shavings very carefully and see if you think there is something in them. If there is, I would add a little DE to the box with a layer of shavings over it and let it sit for a bit before addind the chicks back in.