Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[satay]

Heartbreaking. I’m so sorry.

Do you have space for a couple of alpacas? They will guard your flock and chase the foxes.

I probably would but I'm not sure how thor would take to them. Something to think about though. Thanks.

 

[LuckysMum]

Thanks Fancy
I asked my local stock feed about cleaning the coop she suggested malaban/malawash. (I buy my coopex from there much cheaper than Bunnings.) I've used malaban before but only in the coop. The girls are under my orange tree too. I've heard you shouldn't use malaban around fruit trees and I'll have to think about treating the soil there too. I'm assuming Coopex would be a safer option. Any others options welcomed. Oh and I put DE in the soil around the fruit trees.
Thanks

 

[Fancychooklady]

Thanks Fancy
I asked my local stock feed about cleaning the coop she suggested malaban/malawash. (I buy my coopex from there much cheaper than Bunnings.) I've used malaban before but only in the coop. The girls are under my orange tree too. I've heard you shouldn't use malaban around fruit trees and I'll have to think about treating the soil there too. I'm assuming Coopex would be a safer option. Any others options welcomed. Oh and I put DE in the soil around the fruit trees.
Thanks

Malawash is an organophosphate and old school. There are many other alternatives on the market nowadays and they are much less harmful to us and our environment. The tomato dust I recommended is much less toxic and pyrethrums would also be a better alternative.
http://www.melbournebirdvet.com/parasite-control.aspx

 

[LuckysMum]

Thanks so much Fancy I don't know what I'd do with out you. I read the article. Why when I google can't I find things like that. The malawash is going back tomorrow. I will be getting some Ivermectin. The pyrethrum and coopex seems to have done wonders. When I went in there this morning I barely saw any. The chick feed is next to the coop so I bought fresh chick starter I'm so worried about them getting mites. Do you think if I put ACV in their water that would help them? Your babies have grown so much they are beautiful. I will try and post a photo on here tomorrow. Thanks again

 

[Snoozeys]

Thanks teila

 

[Fancychooklady]

Thanks so much Fancy I don't know what I'd do with out you. I read the article. Why when I google can't I find things like that. The malawash is going back tomorrow. I will be getting some Ivermectin. The pyrethrum and coopex seems to have done wonders. When I went in there this morning I barely saw any. The chick feed is next to the coop so I bought fresh chick starter I'm so worried about them getting mites. Do you think if I put ACV in their water that would help them? Your babies have grown so much they are beautiful. I will try and post a photo on here tomorrow. Thanks again

Some of the information is hidden within links , I follow the Melbourne Bird Vet. Most of the people that work at feed stores know less about chickens and their needs than you and I . It's more about selling what's on the shelf than finding the correct product. I've seen lots of people recommend washing birds with malawash and as the link says , 'old school ' out dated and extremely dangerous to your birds.
Just keep hitting them hard. I'm going out to dust all of the Broodies today.
ACV won't hurt , but there is no evidence that it actually prevents parasites other than personal testimonials. ACV shouldn't be added to the water in periods of hot weather .
Looking forward to seeing the pics, I have so many Broodies now that I'm about to be inundated with silkies.

 

[LuckysMum]

Ok thanks I won't do ACV now it been about 30 degrees here now. Yes an uncle of mine suggested malawash dip for the girls. I didn't think that would be any good. I think I remember someone saying not to put it on the birds. The lady at the stock feed has chickens geese turkeys and ducks She also has kangaroos (rescue) and horse and sheep. Her daughter is a vet nurse and has a farm. So I thought she would know her stuff. But I guess being an older lady she probably still does things the same now as 20 years ago.
Anyway thanks.

 

[LuckysMum]

Can anyone tell me it my ducks still need heat it the days are in the low 30's and the nights high teens? I want to put them in the coop and run. I won't give them a pond yet. I'm feeling bad that they don't get to run around much. They are also stinking up the patio. haha I do put them on the lawn in a wire cage during the day when I'm home.
I've never had ducks and I'm not sure as they are so big what their heat requirement is in our climate. Here's a picture of the coop

 

[Anniebee]

to Snoozeys. I am sure we will all be interested to know what chookies, ducks or whatever else you have - and how they are going.

Cheers ...

 

[Anniebee]

Another blow last night. Went out to a friends for dinner came back and found all my marans and my 10 year old white faced black Spanish dead. Some gone alot just dead missiing heads. The foxes are sure determined this year as they dug under the concrete and the corro barrier. R.I.P girls. I have 1 3 week old female marans and a male left that didn't sell yet. Fingers crossed i can get them up to laying age.

So very very sorry to hear that Satay ... from what I have learned, not usual for foxes to leave heads ... they usually take the entire bird for food ( baby foxes etc.) ... feral cats / dogs might do such damage. Locking them up tight at night will fix any further problems. I don't know if you do, or you don't. ... but many leave their chicken coops open I have heard ( read, listened to ) ....

The Alpacas' ideas is excellent, if you have the room for one. I sure hope you do.

Sad news ... and such a big loss ...