Can someone help me here PLEASE??

[DarleneE]

I put some cute little curtains that I made on my coop. I was told I must either remove or wash them EVERY week because they will collect mites or virus?? Is this indeed correct?? Should remove them?? Can I just tie them back to leave the window totally exposed to get more fresh air?? They're NOT closed now even?? They're open a little in the middle.. but I'm thinking I can tack them completely back on each side of the window?? I HATE to have to take them down, however I want my two chickens safe and will do whatever you suggest. Thank you SO much for any advice you can give me as I'm a first time chicken owner. My girls are 12 weeks old now.

 

[Pyxis]

I don't see any problems with them. They're not going to be generating viruses and the only way they'd have mites in them is if your birds had mites. Whoever told you that is wrong. They're very cute and I see no reason you can't leave them up. Lots of people have curtains in their coop, some even over the nesting boxes.

 

[DarleneE]

OOOOH THANK YOU.. THANK YOU!! I feel SO much better now!! That didn't make any real sense to me either and I did see pictures of coops with curtains and that's where I got the idea to make mine!! I sincerely appreciate your response!! Thank you!!

 

[DarleneE]

They also may have thought that I had lots of birds and that my coop was outside... negative to BOTH!! I have only two hens, 12 wks old and our coop is INSIDE our screened in porch which has a two foot concrete wall all the way around the bottom!! SO there's very little dirt, critters getting in.. IF any!!

 

[Spikes Chooks]

I agree with Pyxis. It is true that IF your chickens get mites, then they can hide in such places as under wood and in the curtains. The fact is that, if they do get mites, then there would be many places they might be hiding and you would have to treat everything.

Whilst mites can be a problem, there's no certainty they'll get them. Personally, I sprinkle DE around, in their coop, nesting boxes and dust bathing areas, as a preventative measure. And I have never had a mite problem. Just search here for DE and you will get lots more information about how it works etc.

So - keep those lovely curains!!!!

All the best

 

[DarleneE]

Oh thank YOU so much and I am going to look up DE right now!!