New Chicks and Lice

[ECiesielczyk]

Hello Everyone.

Today is our "hatching day" i.e. the eggs we put under our broody hen should hatch. I can see 3 so far (out of 12) horray. In peeking in on them, I see that my broody hen is infested with lice! We go the natural route so last time we saw this, we washed our chickens by hand. That said, I have no idea if I should do anything for this mama at this time since she has baby chicks right this minute. Will the lice hurt the babies? Should I separate them? Can anyone give me some guidence?

Thanks!

 

[sourland]

The lice will debilitate both the hen and the chicks. Sometimes the natural route just does not get the job done. DE and 'washing' may help limit parasite populations if consistent, constant application is followed - in my opinion an 'infestation' of lice calls for chemical intervention.

 

[ECiesielczyk]

The rest of the flock appears to be without lice. We had a problem over the winter but nothing in the last 5 months. I just noticed it on the mama. She is still hatching eggs. Chemicals are not an option. My questions are:

1. What will this do to the new chicks?
2. Can I wash the mama (takes about 30 minutes to wash and blow dry) or will the babies have issue for that long without her?

Thanks.