[Tattyanne456]

I've just lifted my broody hen, and as I gave her a quick check I found little mites around the base of her feathers. They are kind of reddish in colour, would that be the red mite that i read so much about. If so whats the best way of treating it? I do have diatoms...

[treacleminer]

If they are actually on your broody chook, they are more likely to be lice.  Aunt Sally's thread in the poultry info section tells you alot about it.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=5250.0

personally I'd be inclined to use 'frontline' (not licensed for chooks) but I don't know if it would affect her eggs at all?
Otherwise give her a good dusting of louse powder!!

[nicchick]

Invermectin (sp) is really good for lice it works in 24 hours and as she is broody you don't have to worry about eating the eggs!
It's liscensed for birds, but not for poultry. It does work really well. Nic.