7 month old Salmon Faverole hen with pale whit bugs around her vent area

by Gail S.
(Berwick, ME)

I have a hen, one of 9 who for the last week has been setting almost broody, (we have no rooster) but I don't know if she's laying, I don't think she is egg bound, because she will eat and run with the others when I take her off the nest and put her outside.

This morning I checked her vent area and saw a lot of what look similar to white bugs, not maggots I dont' think--shorter than maggots--crawling around her just below her vent area. I see no wound. I checked a few of the others, and didn't see this condition. Do you have any idea what is going on with her?

I do have some food grade diotomaceous earth, should I dust the hen with that?

Thanks in advance for your help.

sincerely,
Gail