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How do I know if a chick has mites?

Discussion in 'Raising Baby Chicks' started by beylabean, Feb 22, 2016.

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  1. Feb 22, 2016 #1
    beylabean

    beylabean Out Of The Brooder

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    Apr 6, 2015
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    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 [​IMG]

    Any help appreciated :)
     
  3. Feb 22, 2016 #2
    lazy gardener

    lazy gardener Chicken Obsessed

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2016
  4. Feb 22, 2016 #3
    beylabean

    beylabean Out Of The Brooder

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    AY...Why is there conflicting info on DE? I read that it was good to use! ?
     
  5. Feb 22, 2016 #4
    lazy gardener

    lazy gardener Chicken Obsessed

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    It's very hard on the lungs, and not terribly effective on the target organisms.
     
  6. Feb 22, 2016 #5
    beylabean

    beylabean Out Of The Brooder

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    Apr 6, 2015
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    Ok! Thanks for the info! I will check them over this afternoon and clean out the brooder :)
     

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