I need help right away, please...

[redwa]

I just went down to the coop to check on my broody hen (babies due to hatch tomorrow!) and I noticed the new box I have her in with clean pine shavings, etc seems to be infested with tiny (size of a pin head) bugs, lice or? What should I use to rid her of the parasites that won't harm the babies? Is it safe to move her and her nest while I do this? Thank you for your help.

 

[arlee453]

Do a search on 'Sevin and mites'

 

[LynneP]

I'd get a no-pest strip like the ones made by Vapona or Black Flag and hang it over them but not over feed/water. Is it possible to move the eggs one by one onto new bedding, will the hen allow this? Or after the hatch and the babies are dry, get all that stuff out of there and sprinkle DE on new bedding? Food quality DE is safe around eggs, hatchings and hens...do you have any?

 

[redwa]

I have stuff for mites including DE but I don't want to wait until they are hatched, I am afraid they will be compromised and attacked by the mites (or whatever they are) once they are born. Of course just today I heard one of the chicks chirping, getting ready to come out. I'm just nervous about disturbing them but don't know if I have a choice, the other option doesn't seem good either (to wait until after they are hatched).

 

[LynneP]

The DE is a physical agent, non-insecticidal and it will dehydrate the outer casings (chitin) of the pests. Better to use it now and get the areas around the eggs decontaminated. Hen will feel better, too.

 

[Solsken Farm]

Miss Prissy suggested somewhere taking pantyhose, cutting off a one foot section or so, filling it with sevin (or DE, or whatever) and dusting the bird/area with that like a powder puff. Could you try this, and also do the hen and move her and the eggs?

Have you searched "moving hen and eggs right before hatch" or something to that effect?

I'm sorry, how stressful this must be.

 

[robinaggie]

Based on my experience with parasites and cats/kittens, I would suggest you treat before the eggs hatch. Use one of the techniques suggested by the experts here, or contact a veterinarian.

 

[redwa]

Thank you all. I am going now to move the hen and her eggs into another box, clean disinfect/dust her nest, do same to her and then put everyone back. Wish me luck. I will keep you posted.

 

[redwa]

One more thing - I am going to replace the shavings, could the mites (or?) be coming from that?

 

[LynneP]

Not sure if mites come in shavings, but I think they come from other living animals that are infested or off plants and in crevices where they lay eggs. Nevertheless the DE sghould get them. By now you're probably knee-deep in chicks, how are things going?