2 dead, more ill, HELP!

[shalott]

We took a couple of hens to the vet yesterday and she diagnosed them with Avian Pox. Her best treatment though was just antibiotics in case they have a secondary bacterial infection. Hoping our birdies drink their medicated water and recover! Maybe I'll run and get some mite treatment today too. Can't hurt to cover all our bases. Thanks, Everyone, for your help and guidance!!

 

[dawg53]

We took a couple of hens to the vet yesterday and she diagnosed them with Avian Pox. Her best treatment though was just antibiotics in case they have a secondary bacterial infection. Hoping our birdies drink their medicated water and recover! Maybe I'll run and get some mite treatment today too. Can't hurt to cover all our bases. Thanks, Everyone, for your help and guidance!!

That's good news. Did she explain about the deaths of the others?

 

[rancher hicks]

i really hate to burst bubbles, but DE tests have shown it worthless as a wormer/pesticide in chickens. it was shown to cause silicosis in 60 out of 100 chickens when broadcast 50 lbs over 4000 square feet in broiler strain chickens (ive been looking for the link to this, if anyone knows please post it). however, small amounts of DE added to water in broiler strain chicks proved to help with weight gain by about 5%. as far as a wormer, the amount you would have to give to kill internal parasites would *probably* cause dehydration/death in adult chickens, if it didnt cut up their insides causing ulcers and other issues.

i am a firm believer in there is a cure for every illness in nature, but unfortunately DE doesn't appear to be it. you would be better off using tobacco and risking overdose- at least its effective.

and I hate to burst yours, but it has been found effective for mites and THAT'S what I use it for.

"Diatomaceous earth is most effective on pests that are under constant moisture stress., which is the typical life situation of most house spiders and insects that wander in from outdoors. The idea is to spread a light layer of the dust in places where spiders or other insects are likely to walk or crawl. As long as it remains dry, DE will be effective indefinitely. " - Mother Earth News Dec 2010/Jan 2011

As for the Silicosis. I don't keep 100 chickens nor broilers. I also believer application is key. As I stated before to each his/her own. So far I have had NO problems nor mite infestations.

After having chickens for 5 yrs and being on this forum and taken out every book on poultry from the library, I've come to see there are many "experts". It's up to each of us to decide who to believe and what to do. I'll continue to waste my money on DE until I see the effectiveness other wise.

As for wormers, there are also many opinions on what is and is not effective. I'll continue to do what works for me and recommend it.

I wish you well,

Rancher

 

[casportpony]

That's good news. Did she explain about the deaths of the others?

X2. What antibiotics did she recommend?

-Kathy

 

[aoxa]

and I hate to burst yours, but it has been found effective for mites and THAT'S what I use it for.

"Diatomaceous earth is most effective on pests that are under constant moisture stress., which is the typical life situation of most house spiders and insects that wander in from outdoors. The idea is to spread a light layer of the dust in places where spiders or other insects are likely to walk or crawl. As long as it remains dry, DE will be effective indefinitely. " - Mother Earth News Dec 2010/Jan 2011

As for the Silicosis. I don't keep 100 chickens nor broilers. I also believer application is key. As I stated before to each his/her own. So far I have had NO problems nor mite infestations.

After having chickens for 5 yrs and being on this forum and taken out every book on poultry from the library, I've come to see there are many "experts". It's up to each of us to decide who to believe and what to do. I'll continue to waste my money on DE until I see the effectiveness other wise.

As for wormers, there are also many opinions on what is and is not effective. I'll continue to do what works for me and recommend it.

I wish you well,

Rancher

We all have to do what works for us. To each their own. I've tried it on lice when I first got chickens years ago, and it's results were less than pleasing for the price it is here. Wood ash did work, and was readily available from my wood furnace.

I wouldn't think DE would work less than wood ash or even just plain old dirt. The way it works is it dries out the mites out by absorbing the oil in the cuticle of the insect's exoskeleton - killing them. Wood ash works the same way.

My dust bath is organic topsoil and wood ash. More dirt than ash.

If you've never had issues with mites, how do you know for sure DE works?

 

[loveourbirds]

Quote: X3
-brian