Recent content by MPio13

How many years do you keep your chickens? I know many people consider them their pets, while others are more utilitarian about their flock. Do you keep them for their entire lifespan or say goodbye when they stop producing? Also what would be cause for early dismissal? A large or frequent vet...

Today I stumbled across a 50 gallon garbage can I filled with leaves in the fall. They were nice and dry. My girls were very happy for the surprise as it has been in the single digits all week here in MA. We had an ice storm too so most of their run is coated in ice, they really seem to avoid...

Thank you!

<< glad to have logged on today and find this conversation. This is my first winter with (7) chickens. I'm in MA so it's already been as low as 10°F here. Without electricity in or near my coop, the frozen water situation is annoying. I've already cracked 2 buckets. For now I just plan to keep...

One of my Speckled Sussex is looking very good lately after going through a light molt although her comb isn't really as red as is like to see it.

It was Y-TEX Garden and Poultry dust from tractor supply

Yes I'm a firm believer that my chickens and dogs will eventually eat what's provided for them when they get hungry enough. Hey; I've eaten things I wouldn't necessarily choose to, given my lack of options and being hungry!

I grabbed a bag of Dumor for my hens once in a pinch and they refused to eat it for about 3 straight days. I haven't yet bought any feed for protein but I often give them all sorts of leftovers and treats high in protein. Sometimes meatballs haha I gave them meal worms recently too

I know for fact that some folks treat for mites as a prevention measure. Which means treatment while they don't have mites doesn't hurt. Eating their eggs while treating shouldn't be a problem as it is an external treatment.

One chicken ("turkey") is definatley molting. But we did have some parasites as well. Here's a video: please forgive my narrating, my wife makes fun of me for always narrating. I won't even show her videos anymore lol. Input and comments are welcome.

First treatment done. I took a video I'll try to put on YouTube. I believe I may be dealing with lice. They were white bugs mostly up under the girls in the thick down feathers. The poultry dust I got lists lice on the bottle so I should be good.

Ok I stopped at Tractor Supply and grabbed "poultry dust" as well as permethrin. (Also some meal worms because after all this I figured they deserve a treat). Tomorrow I'm going to rake the run out, then take one girl out of the coop at a time (I have 7 hens) to apply some dust.... then I'll...

Good to know thank You! Where is a good place to purchase mite remedies? Tractor supply? Agway? I'll probably get in there tomorrow evening and attack the mites. Then again Wednesday and again Saturday.

Update: now I believe it is, in fact, mites. My Rhode Island Reds are easier to spot it; looks like all 7 of my birds need to be treated.