using organic herbs in their brooder

[llcardinale]

Hello Everyone,
Does anyone have experience putting organic dried herbs in the brooder? I thought I'd be proactive in natural prevention of mites, etc., but then all ten chicks began scratching themselves wildly. Because I couldn't imagine them all suddenly having mites, I figured it must be the herbs. I put them all in another brooder and thoroughly cleaned out their primary brooder, then within about thirty minutes they all stopped scratching. Now I feel hesitant with ever using them again. I wanted to use organic herbs as a natural prevention of pests. If anyone has experience using herbs with their chicks or chickens I'd greatly appreciate hearing from you. Thank you.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Are you brooding outdoors or inside? How old are your chicks?

The only preventative I use for mites is something called First Saturday Lime (edit: this is NOT lawn or garden lime). It's safer than diatomaceous earth, but it's very dusty (which has its own health concerns), so I wouldn't use it indoors. I sprinkle a small amount in the coop bedding and around my run. Aside from that, it's a matter of keeping their living areas clean and dry.

I know firsthand that some of the oils that come off dried herbs can be irritating. It could also bother them if they're in a tighter area with less ventilation (like an indoor brooder). Regardless, you probably want to trash whatever herbs you bought.

 

[llcardinale]

What a great response--so helpful! Chicks were five days at the time. My brooder is indoors in an out-building, but with a large fan near the ceiling, and windows at either end that are way above the brooder. There's also a whole house hepa air purifier. I will definitely throw out the herbs. Thanks again.