Our girls are all dipped against mites and lice, and it was a 2 person job.  Thank goodness for my Beloved.

He recommended using a very weak solution of pyrethrum:  being a retired vector control (insect pests) person, he has had plenty of experience with chemicals and critters.  He actually has much practice with chickens, as part of his job was raising 'test flocks' as part of the mosquito control process.  That being said, I, forever skeptical and concerned about my girls, researched it online first ....

One large 5 gallon bucket filled with warm water and The Stuff, an extra long pair of rubber gloves, a warm, sunshiny day, and we were in business.

Wisdom does indeed come with age, at least sometimes.  I figured out I didn't need to chase down 13 girls individually; all I had to do was corral them and pen them into a small area.  Luckily, the space between the lock down dog run and the back fence of the big run that runs alongside was the perfect spot as it forms a narrow alley with a dead end. 

The girls are mostly extremely bribable: tossing a handful of scratch into the 'trap' worked beautifully for 10 of the 13.  The missing 3 were Lacy, Elvira and the ever elusive and skittish Twiggy.  Lacy and Elvira allowed themselves to be scooped up and dumped into the penned in area: Twiggy gave me a chase, but I eventually won, only because I am a wee bit smarter than she.  Just barely.

My Beloved settled on a handy tree stump, gloved and waiting.  I clambered into the small trap area and grabbed Agnes.  Used to being handled, she did not squawk, and calmly allowed the handoff, whereupon she was gently and quickly  dunked, and deposited on the ground.  

Stunned, she stood there, wondering what the heck had just happened.

Gertie was 2nd: she worrit us somewhat, as after being dunked, she started walking backwards.  Staggering somewhat.  We both watched her for a good 5 minutes, and as Agnes was doing fine (wet and bedraggled, but fine), we proceeded.

All 13 were done before the water got cold; all walking about, a bit dazed and confused, to be sure, and definitely ridiculous looking. 

No, sorry, no pictures.  The actual truth is, I was busy and didn't think of it..  Here's a nice picture of Ethel though...

 

I cleaned the coop, dusting for possible mites (the reason for dunking), which I do twice a year.   Kept an eye on everyone as I cleaned and was happy to see Lacy and Charlotte pop up into the coop to check on my cleaning methods.  They do this every  week while I clean the coop, and while I enjoy their company, they do slow the process down a bit.

It's now hours later, and everyone is doing fine.  They are all fluffed up, laying in sunny spots up in the run: life is back to normal.

(and yes, I am still skeptical: keep your fingers and toes crossed with me, yes?)