Eastern Tennessee Thread - Page 637  

I use litterboxes (uncovered) in the coops with just dirt from the ground (about 30%) and sand (20%) and Diatomacious Earth (50%). I got my DE at TSC in Athens. If yours doesn't have it, they can get it to their store from Athens. I know... I worked there... the teen at the register might not now they can do that, but they can and will at their cost. 

Also twice a year I put Ivemectin Pour On on their backs... usually this time of year (mental note: got to do Ivemec again) so that they are worm and lice/mite free before winter sets in and their feathers can be at top notch before they need them the most. 

I have seen people use buckets, litterboxes, even a cardboard box will work. Just need about 3-5 inches of depth so they can really get rolling in it. 

Hi- is it the Diatomacious Earth that worms them, or the Ivemectin?      Thanks!   Pam

Ivemectin is what I use for worms. DE works for me with their mites but since I can't see in there to make sure it works for worms, I'm not positive. The jury is out on that and I know it did not work on my cats for worms. I ended up still needing a vet on them. See, the way DE works is that it is fossils of diatoms and they have sharp edges... to us it looks and feels like powder, but to a bug it is like razor blades. It cuts them and absorbes their fluid and dehydrates them. Now, you put that in the body which is wet and well... it doesn't absorb the same. Not to mention you dehydrate the bird in the process. 

I like to use organic when possible, but when it comes to effectively worming... unfortunately I don't think DE cuts the cake. 

ETA... I like your sebright. I used to breed them. When I lost my roo to a preditor I never restocked but I still have my girls. Love silver sebrights!

Thanks for compliment on Sebrights- They are insanely wild!!  Got them as 7 months old, I don't think they've ever been touched.  Working on that.  Sorry about this stupid question- but the Ivemectin on the outside kills worms on the inside of the chicken?  Thanks again!

Pam

I wormed again today. (it has been 14 days) I learned to do the roosters first, and it wasn't so stressful for everyone. (after I did them, I threw them out of the run to free range.) And I have put both coops out to free range two days in a row. (only for about 20 minutes) They have reared up at each other, but I haven't had any bad fights yet.

Also, just found out this afternoon that I am going to be a grandmother. (I think I'm going to vomit - I'm turning 46 next month) Taking a deep breath, fixing me a strong drink and laying down.