Lice on mama hens?

[oakhavenmama]

I have two broody hens who have been sitting on eggs for three weeks! I have noticed they were scratch around their faces when they came out to drink and eat. I thought they were just preening but noticed this morning their eyes looked kind of scaly and red. I couldn’t find any bugs though.
Fast forward to this afternoon: I picked mama hen #1 up to take her for a drink and have one hatchling!
I also was watching her and noticed some little silvery white bugs crawling around her face.
Question is, guessing they are lice? Can I treat mamas while they are setting on nests?
What is best and safest way to eradicate?
Comments appreciated! Thank you in advance!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would assume it's lice too. I would use a Permethrin based poultry spray to treat the hens. Looks like you are in the middle of hatching, so as soon as the chicks hatch, I would try to clean out all the bedding, treat their housing as well. The chicks may also need to be treated. For chicks I might use the spray, but I would use a qtip to apply it (not spray or wet them down much). You could also use a poultry dust if you wish, but of course, it's dusty.

 

[oakhavenmama]

Thank you!