Broody Chicken....

[EggSighted4Life]

Permethrin 10% works great for ALL things insect on chickens. Is a synthetic version of the Elector PSP. Sold under a name like Gordons for around $8 for concentrate.

I used one labeled as "horse fly spray" (in a trigger spray bottle) to help my goats with mosquitoes. But it's the same active ingredient and I used it on my birds. Many people have great results. And if used as directed it is safe, effective, and there is no withdrawal time for eggs. If you have a hard time catching your birds, wait until they go to roost.

And don't buy in that a messy bum means worms as I've seen spreading around the internet. And then people give DE to "kill" the worms, which actually doesn't work inside the intestines (for many reasons)... what it means is a messy bum. (though I'm not saying you don't have worms, just that's not what poo butt means per say).

Honestly I doubt it's mites that's got your girls not laying. I think you would see maybe a decrease in production but for them to stop completely seems like they would have to be in a pretty poor condition that would be visible.

 

[Wilmer Gehman]

If you look it up online, you might find some suggestions. I have heard of a some sort of garlic mixture to put on the chickens. I found some recipes online on how to make some homemade mixtures. just look up "treatment for red mites on chickens"

 

[Auntbee7]

Permethrin 10% works great for ALL things insect on chickens. Is a synthetic version of the Elector PSP. Sold under a name like Gordons for around $8 for concentrate.

I used one labeled as "horse fly spray" (in a trigger spray bottle) to help my goats with mosquitoes. But it's the same active ingredient and I used it on my birds. Many people have great results. And if used as directed it is safe, effective, and there is no withdrawal time for eggs. If you have a hard time catching your birds, wait until they go to roost.

And don't buy in that a messy bum means worms as I've seen spreading around the internet. And then people give DE to "kill" the worms, which actually doesn't work inside the intestines (for many reasons)... what it means is a messy bum. (though I'm not saying you don't have worms, just that's not what poo butt means per say).

Honestly I doubt it's mites that's got your girls not laying. I think you would see maybe a decrease in production but for them to stop completely seems like they would have to be in a pretty poor condition that would be visible.

Thank you so much for the info!! I bought Permethrin and will give it a go!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I wish the garlic stuff was effective... but in my experience trying to use it with mites on my dogs, in the past... it just doesn't work.

That being said all are individuals and my dog that was fighting the mites/mange went through several different treatments via myself and the vet before we were finally able to get it resolved. On an average pet any number of the treatments would have worked by themselves but not for this dog during that time.

Some members of my family try to use garlic to combat fleas in their dogs... mind you, they ALWAYS have fleas... and I don't. Garlic can cause anemia if fed to dogs... I know the chicken recommendation was topical, so I'm just sharing info is all.

So garlic, maybe a deterrent. But not a real solution, IMHO.

Many BYCer's put fresh or dry garlic powder in their water for the probiotic benefits. I haven't tried because I ferment my feed which has probiotics.

 

[Kiki]

Fwiw:

Garlic got a bad rap in 2000, when a research paper was published that was based on garlic’s effect on dogs. Even though the dogs tested didn’t show any outward appearance of toxicity symptoms, there was an effect on the red blood cells. The researchers stated: “we believe that foods containing garlic should be avoided for use in dogs.”

Let’s take a closer look into the study itself, not just one quote. This study, which was undertaken at Hokkaido University, was conducted on four dogs, each one given 1.25 ml of garlic extract per kg of body weight for seven straight days. As an example, if the dog weighed 40 pounds, it would be given about 20 cloves of garlic – a staggering amount! Calculate how much garlic you’d be eating using that formula – it’s enough to make anyone ill. Using this amount of garlic, the study concluded that garlic had the “potential” to cause hemolytic anemia (damage to the red blood cells), and so garlic should not be fed to dogs. It’s important to note that even at these highly elevated doses, no dogs on the study developed hemolytic anemia. On top of that, the study included four dogs, so how do you consider this an appropriate sample? At the very least, it goes to the importance of looking at all the facts of any given study.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Fwiw:

Garlic got a bad rap in 2000, when a research paper was published that was based on garlic’s effect on dogs. Even though the dogs tested didn’t show any outward appearance of toxicity symptoms, there was an effect on the red blood cells. The researchers stated: “we believe that foods containing garlic should be avoided for use in dogs.”

Let’s take a closer look into the study itself, not just one quote. This study, which was undertaken at Hokkaido University, was conducted on four dogs, each one given 1.25 ml of garlic extract per kg of body weight for seven straight days. As an example, if the dog weighed 40 pounds, it would be given about 20 cloves of garlic – a staggering amount! Calculate how much garlic you’d be eating using that formula – it’s enough to make anyone ill. Using this amount of garlic, the study concluded that garlic had the “potential” to cause hemolytic anemia (damage to the red blood cells), and so garlic should not be fed to dogs. It’s important to note that even at these highly elevated doses, no dogs on the study developed hemolytic anemia. On top of that, the study included four dogs, so how do you consider this an appropriate sample? At the very least, it goes to the importance of looking at all the facts of any given study.

What you say is true for MANY studies published (even the forbidden pink sweetener which was shown *can* not will cause cancer when fed in EXTREME amounts). It's always important to look at the facts including the "sample size" within the study.

Haven't had time to look into the study.. but doesn't change my opinion (or experience) that garlic is not effective as an only means at controlling pests or parasites internally or externally on my animals. It is great at killing yeast, like athletes foot though.

Incidentally... the forbidden chocolate for dogs would take 1 oz per pound of body weight to be life threatening to a dog. Think about it my dogs are 60 pounds, they'd probably be sick to their stomach long before that. And littler dogs have smaller stomachs to fill. But I still don't feed my dogs chocolate (it's all mine!)

 

[Wilmer Gehman]

Sorry to change the subject, but I have a question on my broody hen. I got three chicks for her and they are living happily in the "laying" coop. They have starter feed and nice, cold water, but the mother hen is constantly panting. I never saw her drink either. The coop is big with removable boards to take out during the summer, to let some cool breezes in. We have wood shavings on the floor. my neighbor took out the top board because it was getting pretty warm in the coop. Should we take out another one? Is there any way to keep my hen cooler?

 

[Kiki]

Sorry to change the subject, but I have a question on my broody hen. I got three chicks for her and they are living happily in the "laying" coop. They have starter feed and nice, cold water, but the mother hen is constantly panting. I never saw her drink either. The coop is big with removable boards to take out during the summer, to let some cool breezes in. We have wood shavings on the floor. my neighbor took out the top board because it was getting pretty warm in the coop. Should we take out another one? Is there any way to keep my hen cooler?

Can you post a picture of your coop?

 

[Wilmer Gehman]

Ill try

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sorry to change the subject, but I have a question on my broody hen. I got three chicks for her and they are living happily in the "laying" coop. They have starter feed and nice, cold water, but the mother hen is constantly panting. I never saw her drink either. The coop is big with removable boards to take out during the summer, to let some cool breezes in. We have wood shavings on the floor. my neighbor took out the top board because it was getting pretty warm in the coop. Should we take out another one? Is there any way to keep my hen cooler?

What are your temps? She is probably drinking and you just don't see it.

Panting can be a sign of too much heat or stress. (not usually thirst as people think when they see a dog panting) I would definitely consider taking out another board. She will keep the babies warm enough but be happier herself if she isn't about to have a heat stroke.