Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[BarnGoddess01]

Some folks have been talking about lice and mites, I have also used ivermectin pour-on, but am now using wood ashes for my birds to dust in. They seem to love dustbathing in the ashes and I haven't seen any lice or mites since I started providing it for them, I believe in doing things the easy way whenever possible, and as long as this is effective I'm all for letting the birds treat themselves. I don't have a woodstove but a quick post on craigslist got me a continuing source for all I'll ever need.

It needs to be pointed out that "Ivomec Eprinex" is NOT ivermectin. Same class but not exactly the same drug. And there is a big difference, in my opinion (and that of the Canadian regulators apparently because I can buy Ivomec's ivermectin from the feed store but I have to get Eprinex from the vet.)

 

[thedragonlady]

Walmart has 18 gallon storage containers (red or green of course) for $2.50. I saw a lot of people transporting birds to shows in them ( with ventilation holes)--stackable, lightweight and holds stuff like shavings. Why didn't I think of that? Dog kennels are heavy and awkward. I wouldn't put a LF crested bird in the 18 gallon size, but others should fit. Does anyone else have any other transportation tricks? I'll be sporting RED. ones this year!

If I were still showing smaller birds and Bantams, I would be eating at Bo-Jangles a lot ! Their take out boxes make great carriers for smaller birds. Maybe a bit of inspiration to show well too !

 

[ChickChickChicky]

I've read about that too, and we've sprinkled it on the roosts, but should I dump a big pile for dust bathing?

Regarding wood ashes for lice and mites, yes you can just dump them on the ground. They like to dust in it though, so anything you can do to keep it sorta dry will help (maybe build a little roof over it if you live in a rainy place?). I just dumped about 1/2 a wheelbarrow load at one end of the covered runs. Some people make 4-sided boxes (kind of like a raised garden bed) and dump ashes in there. You can also mix in sand and/or dirt, whatever your heart desires, the chickens don't seem to care. I add a bucket or two of fresh ashes every so often (maybe once every 4-8 weeks?). It's not rocket science so nothing has to be too technical. I do continue to check my chickens for lice & mites on a regular basis but so far I just have dusty, bug-free hens!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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I had a local tobacco farmer bring me a bag of ground up tobacco leaves insisting that I should sprinkle them on all my chickens' preferred dust bathing areas. He insisted my birds would have no bugs if they bathed in dirt laced with tobacco. (So far, I haven't had an issue with "bugs" of any sort but I am an ex-smoker so I am reluctant to spread tobacco!)

 

[ChickChickChicky]

I had a local tobacco farmer bring me a bag of ground up tobacco leaves insisting that I should sprinkle them on all my chickens' preferred dust bathing areas. He insisted my birds would have no bugs if they bathed in dirt laced with tobacco. (So far, I haven't had an issue with "bugs" of any sort but I am an ex-smoker so I am reluctant to spread tobacco!)

Careful with that tobacco, nicotine is a very potent nerve toxin that insects cannot develop a tolerance to. I don't know if the birds would eat any of the tobacco pieces, but if they did it could potentially be fatal (and nicotine can also be absorbed through the skin). I am positive that the nicotine would eliminate any bugs on your chickens, though. I would do some more checking before I used the tobacco... it may be something that's been used for years as a chicken dust with no ill effect on the birds, and if that's the case I would certainly use it. But if it's just something this one guy has come up with as a theory, I'd be very careful.

 

[Cedarknob]

Careful with that tobacco, nicotine is a very potent nerve toxin that insects cannot develop a tolerance to. I don't know if the birds would eat any of the tobacco pieces, but if they did it could potentially be fatal (and nicotine can also be absorbed through the skin). I am positive that the nicotine would eliminate any bugs on your chickens, though. I would do some more checking before I used the tobacco... it may be something that's been used for years as a chicken dust with no ill effect on the birds, and if that's the case I would certainly use it. But if it's just something this one guy has come up with as a theory, I'd be very careful.

This reminds me of the old days when we would feed a cigarette to a horse or donkey to worm them. I don't know if it actually worked, but do remember one donkey that actually liked them and developed a biting problem trying to get to the pack he knew was in most everyone's pocket.

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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PRECISELY how I feel about the tobacco. I'm touched and flattered that my neighbour was so generous but the bag remains unopened ....

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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[Arielle]

Awhile back I read a post about kids not wanting to eat the birds your family grew. This was my solution to that potential problem with my Grand-daughter. Get them involved in the process. We harvested 50 birds in Dec, she was there for the entire process and was even given the job of putting them into tubs after cleaning. The child is amazing and she likes how they taste "they are better then the store Grammy". I love hearing those words. Sorry it's a little off track Bob, but they were from a flock of hatchery Orpington's. I'm doing my part to convert all my friends over to SOP birds so we cleaned out a neighbors coop, does that count

. Thank you all for continuing to make this forum one of my favorite sources of information.

I think you are referring to my kids. Mind will help process, pretty good at plucking. THen firmly announce they are not eating these. HOneslty, I think it is because a few favorites ended up in the freezer. THey did get to keep a few favorites. Can you see how many "favorites" they had!! All started when they played with the chicks for HOURS and hours: the FBI, the NCIS and the Police and made up stories. Like playing house with dolls, but chicks instead.

I put all the crappy hatchery cckls in the freezer. I'm learning.

 

[Arielle]

Quote:
PRECISELY how I feel about the tobacco. I'm touched and flattered that my neighbour was so generous but the bag remains unopened ....

THis is when I get frustrated that state univerisities seem to only spend research dollars on commerical poultry. WOuldn't this be a very interesting study for an undergrad to test so all of us with back yard flocks could benefit. ( sorry, one of my pet peeves.)