I have just purchased 11 chicks. They are straight run and a couple different hatches (1 Sexlink 4 days old, 6 SLW that are 3 days, 3 SLW day olds and 2 SLW that are 2 weeks old) All are in the same brooder box, but I noticed that one of the 2 week olds is scratching at his/her head and picking at it's feathers. Not sure what to look for if it were to be mites. I do have DE sprinkled in the brooder just in case. But just thought I'd ask and see if I can catch it before it spreads, if it is in fact mites. Maybe I'm just being a paranoid first timer Any help appreciated
Please don't put DE or any thing else in there UNLESS you have seen mites. They can be seen with a good magnifying glass. The chicks will do a LOT of scratching. Pushing out those new little feathers is itchy business. Enjoy your babies! Also, it's important to have that brooder cool enough. They should have at least 1 sq. foot per bird, and be able to get away from the heat to room temp or below at the far end of the brooder.
