Will dusting a broody hen for lice harm the embryos?

[Anne]

Hi everyone,

I've got a bit of an issue. I have 3 broody hens sitting on 26 eggs, all of which are about 10 days old. This morning I discovered they have BODY LICE. My question is, will the dust harm the developing embryos? Then, since they're lice I'll have to dust again a week from now (or is it 10 days?) -- by then the embryos will be 17 or 20 days old -- i.e., right about to hatch under mommies that have been dusted!

Any advice on this issue would be very much appreciated, as I need to make a decision on what to do ASAP!

Thanks,

Anne

 

[missusduray]

If you use food grad Ditamaceous Earth, it will not harm your broody hens nor will it harm the eggs and it will not harm them when they hatch. It is an all natural way to rid your pets of unwated pests. It breaks thru the exoskeleton of the insects, bugs etc. and dries them out, thus killing them. It does not harm warm blodded animals or humans. Good luck
Kristyne

 

[Anne]

Where can I get it?

 

[hisbride]

Try your local feed store or nursery. If they don't carry it ask them if they would order it. There are places online people have ordered it from.

 

[wegotchickens]

Does it have to be food grade?
Lowe's has some for sale in the garden supplies...

 

[MissPrissy]

It MUST be food grade. Any other form of DE will be poisonous to your birds.

The food grade bags usually read "codex grade fossil shell flour".

 

[wegotchickens]

Thanks!