itchy chicks!

[TeamChaos]

I have four three week old chicks and one two week old chick- everybody seems healthy and happy, but they are doing a lot of scratching! I assumed it was because their feathers are coming in but am I missing something else- how common are lice? Some of the chicks have little red spots where they have irritated (not torn or anything) the skin by scratching.

 

[Berritt]

Good question and I'll be watching this. My chicks occasionally scratch like dogs do! mine haven't irritated themselves, though... from what I see. I looked for bugs but didn't notice any...

 

[Chicken Paradise]

Maybe put one on a white paper towel and see if anything jump off of it?

 

[TeamChaos]

I haven't seen anything jump off the little birds, but we did put in a box of sand earlier tonite and it's been a beach party ever since. Maybe they are just itchy with new feathers coming in? Hmmmm

 

[Imp]

If they are dustbathing in the sand that will help if they have mites. I'll attach a link with some info about lice & mites.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

Imp

 

[Madcap621]

DE in the sand will help if they have 'varmints'