hen keeps shaking head

[redwa]

I am not aware of any sand gnats in our area (northern CA). I am going to do what dlhunicorn suggested and clean the coop extremely well and treat with an industrial paraseticide and douse all the girls. I am having a very frustrating chicken time. I take great pride in the care I give my chickens and yet this month there have been some illnesses with three chickens, all different. Trying to figure out if it's something I am doing wrong or just what happens in the world of raising chickens.

 

[dlhunicorn]

I hope you arent going to douse your girls with the (industrial strength") paraseticide (LOL)...
Ivomec Eprinex might help and you could spray them before hand with a bird spray (cage or pigeon) sold at pet stores (be sure to protect their eyes)

 

[redwa]

No, I did not douse the girls with the 'Industrial strength' paraseticide, only the coop and boxes once I cleaned it all well. After it dried, I put a layer of DE on the ground (we have an open aviary type coop, dirt on the ground) and in the nesting boxes and then new shavings (pine). I did treat the girls with Ivomec (as well as accidentally spray my daughter and myself). At least we will all be parasite free.... Hopefully this will help. I do have a bird spray that I have used a couple of times. I will use that again on all of them. In addition, one of our other girls began molting this week. Feathers everywhere!

Thank you for your help. Greatly appreciated.