Please help! Bugs on baby chicks

[Farmgirl283420]

I noticed my 3 day old chick has some strange tiny bugs slithering on it it was a clear/brown and quick. I could only see it on my black chick as the other two are white. We got the chicks from a friend who hatched them from her broody hen outside. Please advise how to treat, are sprays ok on such young ones? I want to ask quickly since the chicks are so young. Thank you.

 

[DobieLover]

Please advise how to treat, are sprays ok on such young ones?

Not advisable on chicks so young.

What you describe sounds like lice. I would treat them with poultry dust containing permethrin. And do it again in 7 days.

 

[FrostRanger]

I would also gently let your friend know of the problem as she might be unaware of the problem and will need to treat her flock as lice are not good for chickens of any age

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Not advisable on chicks so young.

What you describe sounds like lice. I would treat them with poultry dust containing permethrin. And do it again in 7 days.

Thank you! Does DE work? If not I’ll go get some poultry dust.

 

[MommyGirl]

Thank you! Does DE work? If not I’ll go get some poultry dust.

Don’t think it works I would get the poultry dust.

 

[Rodayan]

Diatomaceous Earth should work - the natural silica in the diatom shells irritates and in some cases pops the shell of the mites and lice and other insects. Make sure the chickens do not breathe it in, otherwise it is safe for them. Definitely treat the bedding and make sure they can have good quality dust/sand baths, as this is how they treat the problem themselves in the wild.