Bedding

[Caleb999]

If you recommend any product to prevent mites. I'd like to know. I will most likely stay with straw, and try to prevent mites.
Thanks for your time

 

[aart]

If you recommend any product to prevent mites. I'd like to know. I will most likely stay with straw, and try to prevent mites.
Thanks for your time

Mites won't necessarily come in with straw, tho it's possible.....but straw can provide a safe haven for them to reproduce.
I use straw in the nests only and sprinkle a goodly amount of DE on top of the 'flake' that I put in, it'll sift down and coat the bottom of the nest too.

 

[DanEP]

Around here pine shavings are cheaper than straw and I like it better.

 

[aart]

Around here pine shavings are cheaper than straw and I like it better.

True straw is rising in price the last few years...unless you are lucky enough to be in an area where it is common.
I can get it for $3 a bale around here if I go to the source....the grain growers.

 

[sophiaw00]

I have a couple questions...

Does hay act the same way as straw for a home for mites? I was using alfalfa hay as bedding (no access to straw) but now I am using lawn mower clippings, dried out in the sun (a lot cheaper than buying hay or straw). I also use wood chips in the bedding as I use the deep littler method (although, it hasn't been getting deeper and I think the birds are eating most of the hay/grass clippings and kicking out some of the bedding as well...still works though and doesn't smell)

Also, what is red mite powder and where can I find it?

Lastly, what exactly is wood ash? I've heard people talk about it here but I think I might be overthinking it. Is it quite literally the ash from the firepit?

ETA: How common are mites? How to prevent it? How to know if you are infested? Does winter kill them?

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Can't respond regarding hay as I don't use it. Same thing with red mite powder. But I can respond regarding wood ash. Yes, it's ash from burned limbs and logs. Not from lumber. We have a wood burning stove so always have a good supply of wood ash available.

Mites, lice and worms are all very common. You'll never completely escape them - you're bound to see one or the other at some point - but you can manage and control them. It pays to be observant and to watch your chickens, check their feathers, peek at their poop, and observe their general behavior to head off an infestation.

 

[aart]

Can't respond regarding hay as I don't use it. Same thing with red mite powder. But I can respond regarding wood ash. Yes, it's ash from burned limbs and logs. Not from lumber. We have a wood burning stove so always have a good supply of wood ash available.

Mites, lice and worms are all very common. You'll never completely escape them - you're bound to see one or other other at some point - but you can manage and control them. It pays to be observant and to watch your chickens, check their feathers, peek at their poop, and observe their general behavior to head off an infestation.

Any reason ash from burning lumber wouldn't work?
Obviously you wouldn't burn anything treated, but maybe pine/fir ash is not as good as hardwood ash?

 

[shortgrass]

True straw is rising in price the last few years...unless you are lucky enough to be in an area where it is common.
I can get it for $3 a bale around here if I go to the source....the grain growers.

Lol aart, shhhhhhh!
I use straw. It's free for me
I sprinkle some shavings in nesting boxes for the smell

I have a couple questions...

Does hay act the same way as straw for a home for mites? I was using alfalfa hay as bedding (no access to straw) but now I am using lawn mower clippings, dried out in the sun (a lot cheaper than buying hay or straw). I also use wood chips in the bedding as I use the deep littler method (although, it hasn't been getting deeper and I think the birds are eating most of the hay/grass clippings and kicking out some of the bedding as well...still works though and doesn't smell)

Alfalfa is pretty pricey in comparison to straw, but its essentially the same...and they can munch on it if they get hungry while laying lol

Also, what is red mite powder and where can I find it? 

I don't know, I don't use anything chemical, sorry, no help there.

Lastly, what exactly is wood ash? I've heard people talk about it here but I think I might be overthinking it. Is it quite literally the ash from the firepit?

Yep. Not plastic or oil or paint in there, just wood ash... From the fireplace would work if all you ever burn is wood (no papers or plastic)

ETA: How common are mites? How to prevent it? How to know if you are infested? Does winter kill them?

It depends on your area and how likely you are to have them in the first place. I have never had a mite problem. Too dry around here and winters are very cold, but they would survive winter if they were in the coop and on the chickens... Keeping the coop dry and clean and giving the chickens a way to self medicate by dust bathing should be sufficient

Any reason ash from burning lumber wouldn't work?
Obviously you wouldn't burn anything treated, but maybe pine/fir ash is not as good as hardwood ash?

Some lumber is treated, so I think maybe that's the reasoning behind not using "lumber"?..

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Any reason ash from burning lumber wouldn't work?
Obviously you wouldn't burn anything treated, but maybe pine/fir ash is not as good as hardwood ash?

Only to eliminate the possibility of burning treated lumber. Even with the wood stove, we will often use strips of lumber as kindling, but never treated.

Not sure if one type wood is better than the other, we burn a mix but try to keep it at mostly hardwood.

 

[yochickiemomma]

Is it possible to mix or sprinkle too much ash in a run and dust bath?