Lice on a baby :(

[NEPACrazyFarm]

Apparently my hens aren't mother material. We rescued a lil chickie tonight that was probably born earlier in the day. He was very lethargic so when my husband brought him in I was holding him trying to warm him up. Little white bugs (which i've identified as lice) came crawling off of him in droves. I put him back in the tote with the heat lamp and got so creeped out had to instantly get a shower.

Im sorry... I don't have time to search through posts right now (as I was trying to type my son just spilled red koolaid all over my couch).

What is safe to use on a baby? Can I use the sprays/chemicals/dusts?? Obviously our coop is infested but I can't do much about it.. I'm 32 weeks pregnant with twins myself. Right now my main concern is the lil baby (and the hopefully 2nd lil baby that's going to be born soon.. he's half out of his egg).

Also I imagine the lice will stay on the bird and not be crawling all over my house...... right??? *eeeee*

 

[brahmabreeder]

I would bath the chick,dry it real good( don't let it get chilled ), then dust it in Diatomaceous Earth. Just be sure not to put too much on it. I don't think the lice will spread to you and your family.

 

[NEPACrazyFarm]

I thought about trying to bath it.. my husbands concerned it'll 'drown.' I've had pet mice before and had to give the one a bath twice a week because it had over grooming issues. so I have a 'little' experience with bathing small things.

I might try it tonight. I had another lice on me this morning and I didn't even touch the chicken.. I had moved the heat lamp around. I put a line of vaseline around the tote so hopefully no bugs will crawl out *ug*

Oh and it's supposed to be in the 90's the next 4 days so I'm sure the warmth won't be an issue.

 

[brahmabreeder]

Believe me its already hot at my house. When you give it a bath just fill the water up like an inch or so . I washed my month old seramas yesterday and didn't have any problems. I would check your chicks legs too and see if he has scaly leg mites.

 

[NEPACrazyFarm]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to try it tonight

the other baby that hatched is a serma but I don't think he's going to make it

 

[brahmabreeder]

Good luck washing your chick