My 3 week old buff orps are itching continuously!

[islandchick75]

I have picked them up and checked for lice or mites and i dont see anything. I dusted them with DE (food grade) just in case, but they are still biting under their wings and vents. What else can i do? How long does it take DE to work? Are they too young for chemical powder? Is there some kind of drops i can buy? So many questions! I am worried about them, they dont seem as active as usual, and near the base of their feathers seems bare and somewhat red. . They are still eating and drinking. Hoping someone has a solution! Thanks!!

 

[Michael Apple]

I have picked them up and checked for lice or mites and i dont see anything. I dusted them with DE (food grade) just in case, but they are still biting under their wings and vents. What else can i do? How long does it take DE to work? Are they too young for chemical powder? Is there some kind of drops i can buy? So many questions! I am worried about them, they dont seem as active as usual, and near the base of their feathers seems bare and somewhat red. . They are still eating and drinking. Hoping someone has a solution! Thanks!!

DE likely irritated their tender skin at 3 weeks. DE is for use in the garden, not the coop, or on the birds, and especially not chicks, despite what the perpetual misinformation parroted on the forum or anywhere else states. The small particles slice and dice certain insects, they lose fluid, dehydrate, and die. Not a substance I'd want dusted on me or my birds. If you used a dust for mites, you should have used a Prozap permethrin powder. Not sure what you can do now. If you attempt to rinse them, you could chill them.