Recent content by hen-at-home

Thanks. I opened up the windows today. It's the first sunny day in many days and it's pretty warm here so I let the girls free range a bit while I worked in coop. I turned over and mixed up all the floor litter. It didn't seem too wet all over but was moist in spots under the favored...

Jack - Love the design of your coop. How often do you add new bedding? Do you just add on an as need basis based on the look of the litter or do you do it every time you turn it ?

I think I have enough ventilation. There are two standard size windows and a coopula atop the coop. The coopula may not be doing as good a job as it once did since I think it's pretty dusty up there and the screens need to be cleaned. Also, it is winter and I haven't opened the windows lately...

I love the shelf and how you've set that up!! Awesome! What a pretty coop! Definitely an idea I want to try.

I'm trying the deep litter method this winter (or maybe it should be referred to as "composting litter" method as my Storey's Guide states). In the fall I put a large amount of oak leaves (not shredded first) into the coop. I have maintained by mixing in the manure under the roosts and I've...

I've been dealing with this issue also with two of my girls. It lasted for months with one of my girls and she just continued to get worse. I tried worming her but nothing changed. I finally determined that she must just be an internal layer. It is the only explanation I can come up with...

I checked my girls last night and didn't SEE any mites on any of their faces. It was in the high 40's for temps, so they wouldn't have been dormant because of cold. I'm feeling a little hopeful!! Quote: It will be 7 days since the dusting with Sevin this coming Tuesday. I think I'm...

citychickx6, I think I'd rather have the lice than the mites. At least you know you can treat the hens and be rid of them. Lice don't infest the coop! There's some good news! I noticed two of my girls are flicking (for lack of a better descriptive word) their heads every 10 - 20 seconds...

Rancher hicks - Just wondering, what do you use to distribute the DE? I have a large shaker container but it doesn't get cracks or walls well. I too have a 50# bag and have used DE but not in large amounts. Before the infestation I had been sprinkling it just on the floors before I put fresh...

Hey citychickx6, Have you seen the mites on the hens? I was able to see the mites when I went out to the coop after dark. It's very helpful if you can inspect your girls and determine what type of mite you are dealing with. Like I said earlier. I couldn't see any mites on any of them when I...

Well, I dusted the girls with Sevin (straight with no extra DE added) yesterday. I hated doing it. It was, so far, my worst experience with owning chickens yet. I used the "grab their legs and turn 'em upside down" method. Felt terrible doing it.. and I always talked so tough about chicken...

According to this, Frontline doesn't kill mites. I'm dealing with red mites too and someone shared this somewhere: http://poultrykeeper.com/poultry-medication/poultry-medication/frontline-for-lice-and-mites.html

I read that Frontline does not kill mites. I'm dealing with red mites myself and during my research someone shared this and so I share it with you: http://poultrykeeper.com/poultry-medication/poultry-medication/frontline-for-lice-and-mites.html

By the way, thank you littleoak for your input. I appreciate it very much. Off to TSC to find Sevin.