Need input quickly! First egg hatched today, mites/lice on shell.

[Beau coop]

My broody is sitting on pine shavings with DE mixed in. The first clue that I had a problem was after the first egg hatched about 2 hours ago. She still has 8 under her. She pushed the broken shell out from under her. I picked it up to check it out and saw some black moving spots, tiny, tiny bugs.
Mites?Lice?

I have DE in the broody box mixed with pine shavings. I obviously can't do anything at this exact moment due to hatching- but what do you recommend? Is sevin safe to use on new chicks?

What do I do?

 

[Msbear]

You need to use something stronger... they say if you see 2, there is hundreds and if you see 5, there are thousands... something like that.

DE is a deterrent but sometimes isn't strong enough.

Bring the broody in with her babies as soon as they're done hatching. I'd do it now because I have super laid back cochins and nothing will take their eye off the prize. They are super broodies... but you may want to wait til they all hatch. The problem is they are already sucking the blood from those babies and I've seen an infestation kill peeps in a couple days.

Anyway, bring in the broody (after you've dusted her and her new babies and put them in a brooder or box.

Then attack the coop. Kick out all the birds, clean and spray the entire thing; walls, floor, perches, nesting boxes, every crevice with permitherin ($5 at TSC) You'll need to dilute with water... the directions are on the label.

Let the coop dry, then sprinkle with 7 dust. Dust all the birds. Add new shavings and bring back your broody.

Good Luck

 

[Beau coop]

Quote:
what do I dust the broody and babies with? Sevin?

 

[Msbear]

Yeah, it won't hurt them.. just make sure it doesn't get in the water or food... so take out your feeders or cover them well. Focus on the vents and under wings when dusting and be gentle around the face.

 

[Beau coop]

Quote:
Thanks MsBear,

Thank you so much. I got the poultry dust and dusted momma good. Black specks fell off her like crazy. Bad chicken momma, bad chicken momma. But I haven't been bothering her too much since she has been setting, so I just didn't notice.

Dusted the 2 chicks that have hatched. New digs all the way around, box, and shavings. Gently moved eggs. 3 with pips, one cheeping. hope I didn't hurt them too much. One top of all this momma pooped in nest. Yuck! Everyone is clean and hopefully the hatching will continue.

Gotta go out to the coop and check everyone else.
Then spray everything down. Thanks for the help!

 

[Msbear]

Don't beat yourself up. The broodies always get it the worst because they are immobile. And, the mites hide under the feathers so they are not noticed. It happened to me and my rosecomb girl did not survive it.

Once enough blood is lost, the bird will go enemic (can't spell) I tried to revive with electrolytes and wet mash with yoguart etc... and no luck ..she just got weaker and weaker... so Im glad you noticed when you did.

 

[sharonganncable]

speaking of anemic... I have serama's and these mini birds cannot tolerate parasites long at all. I have a hen that came to me with lice in April she is still very pale in the face. Has anyone ever had success building the blood back up? I have been giving her diluted Geratol daily for two or three weeks plus yogurt but she keeps lingering on the puny side.

 

[Msbear]

As long as she is eating on her own, I believe she will make it. It is a long process. but, it sounds like you are passed the touch and go part. I was using a syringe to feed mine for a few days and put her in the coop... saw her eat a bit but went down hill fast. I brought her back in but it was too late.

 

[ma2babygurl13]

not to hijack, but is 7 powder the best to dust them with even if you don't see any mites/lice?

 

[Msbear]

I think all chickens have mites and lice to some extent... even if you don't see them. I believe it's a combination of strong immune systems, the ability to free range and access dirt to dust in and the cleanliness of the chicken's housing as to wether a few mites will turn into an infestation.

I have more problems with mites in the winter when I may slack and not clean my coops as regularly as I should and my birds are cooped up because there is snow on the ground.

This time of year, broodies are the target because they are stationed in that box all day, not eating as well as they would normally and are laying in the bedding which may have poo in it, etc.

I use DE as a deterrent and I would suggest that if you aren't having any problems. The next step is 7 dust... though many on here bypass the DE and head straight forthe real deal... it's all a matter of preference.

To really check for mites/lice, head out to the coop at night with a flashlight.. that's when they feed. Turn your bird upside down and open up the feathers to expose the vent area. Shine away... also check under the wings. Run your fingers against the feathers to expose skin. Small black or red dots moving around are mites. Larger clear looking or white bugs (the size of a pencil tip) that run really fast are lice.