Search results for query: *

I guess most of you have well-started birds by now, would love to see some pics of the juveniles.

Dunno, you would know best by watching them. It's such a risk to go forward, not knowing. I realize some breeders simply wring the necks of unwanted birds, but that's not for me, I guess I would avoid breeding them.

There is a chanc that a rooster with curled toes may have a reduced fertility rate also, being unable to tread hens properly.

I was surprised too when the gray food-grade DE turned up here, and the manager of our feed store was sincere when he told me he had been advised that the gray could be used with chickens. I suppose if in feed only, but as bird owners we use it mainly to help with mites and other ectoparasites...

There are 2 kinds of food-grade DE, gray and white. The gray tends to be cheaper and the color is from calcium bentonite, a kind of clay that some animal owners use in feed a a type of gut cleanser and it is supposed to help with worming. It must taste terrible too, my Aussies were horrified...

Anthony, yes that is the exact brand, bought at Co-Op, I had to order it on the truck the following week though, some don't have it in stock all the time. A bag lasts me a year. if you bring some DE to a show and place a tiny bit in the cage bedding, you will not get anything in the building...

The predator mite URL is in the UK. Does anyone know if they have reached the US? http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/shop/view/index.aspx/product/predator-mite-holder-inc-booster-cartridge-insert-100 Wood ash has some limited uses, but for mites you would have to filter it and put overhead- it's...

Never thought of that! Of course chickens would try to eat them, just because they are SOP doesn't mean they won't stoop for a free meal. I'm hoping that in north America the mite predators will be available soon.

Those fly predators look vey effective, you are pleased? And do they have to be released every year?

There are some wonderful Aussies in the south. Lovely fellow, truly.

500 birds! No, I have 5 show hens, 2 roosters and some layers. If things so as I hope, I will have a few more show birds and since I am retired I can pamper them. I doubt I will have more than 25 birds at any time and that they will be exhibition lines. Aussies are very popular here but we...

When I was in the UK recently I saw some 'pink oil' for sale and asked about it- apparently it is the final dressing on feathers after bird is washed for show. It's supposed to keep dust off the feathers. How do you wash and prep for show?

I notice that the three of you having a need for more than DE are in southern states. Of course I'm in the temperate zone and sometimes in winter we are -20C for a few weeks. I certainly concede that there are climate issues, I suspect you have a myriad of pests I don't have to plan for. But...

I am sorry, Matt, but I am about sustainable living, and not part of the exclusively organic crowd. If the DE is not working for you, check under your shingles on beams or in crevices you may have missed. My barn was built in 1970, so is not perfectly smooth and was used for several kinds of...

About mites I know this is off-track regarding SOP but it's so important). We use white, food-grade, diatomaceous earth (DE) to prevent mites and it's worked since 2008. The 'diatom' is a mineral dessicant which makes the environment unsuitable for mites. It is safe to use in dust-bathing...

So you will place the others off your farm? If you are breeding from show lines the ones you do not choose as SOP can still make wonderful chickens for someone else...:)

Curt- sent you a PM.

This hen will die unless you can separate her and get to a vet. if you can catch her but can't get to a vet, get her into a quiet room where there is a sink. Stand her on a towel on the counter and examine the wound. Upload a pic here if you can. let us know what you see.

Those are healthy looking babies, must be well-feathered now!

We left a huge roost with 4" boards in tact but added platforms- what a hit!