Chickens & Ticks

[PinkFlamingoFrm]

So glad you haven't seen any ticks. It's mostly in wooded property or high weeds. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a tick related disease. Even though diagnosed I didn't get any bad symptoms.

The Lyme was a different story. I was bitten by a tick and developed a huge red circle around the area. I started losing my balance. I was put on antibiotics but still couldn't keep my balance...going down stairs, taking a shower, walking across the store parking lot...impossible without the sensation of falling. I felt a bit better after 6 months but still have symptoms, especially if I get other illnesses such as a cold.

Keep on the lookout for those bad boys!

my whole backyard is woods, and a raspberry patch, which has a bunch of weeds, but my dog isnt allowed to roam unattended like my moms dogs. My dog isnt allowed out of my sight, she is too dog & animal aggressive, so she doesnt go down into the woods like they do, which is probably why she hasnt gotten any. but wow, I didnt realize there were so many tick borne illnesses. I'm glad you are feeling better. I wish there was some kind of something I could spray and kill them all.. but that would be too easy, and until they make something like that, I'll keep giving the dog tick medicine, and the chickens that dust stuff.

 

[nab58]

FYI....there is a vaccine for dogs against Lyme disease. If your dog is a rescue of unknown background, s/he may have been vaccinated previously and now tests positive for the antibody and may not really have the disease..

 

[PinkFlamingoFrm]

oh wow, I had no idea. They tested her because she was lazy one day. I wonder if they gave her that at the shelter. She hasnt had a single symptom of Lymes, other than the positive Lymes test & some kidney issues, which I believe are unrelated, but the vets are saying its from her Lymes. The vet wouldnt even give her a rabies shot this year because of it, so now thats another thing I gotta be extra careful about.

 

[indigo3]

keeping guinreas hens with your chickens may help. we have kept guineas for years and it really helps. guimeas are one of very few birds that eat ticks. they love ticks. I try to keep about 10 guineas, I have a small flock of chickens a few dogs and cats and I haven't seen a tick yet this spring. just a thought

 

[PinkFlamingoFrm]

keeping guinreas hens with your chickens may help. we have kept guineas for years and it really helps. guimeas are one of very few birds that eat ticks. they love ticks. I try to keep about 10 guineas, I have a small flock of chickens a few dogs and cats and I haven't seen a tick yet this spring. just a thought

thanks, I've tried to convince my fiance that I need guineas, but he tells me they are too mean. He works at a local feed store & delivers to a place that has guineas and said he gets chased by a flock of them every time hes there. So until I can convince him that they are nice, I cant get any. Im still working on convincing him though Maybe if I can convince him that they will eat all the ticks hmm

 

[bjones1128]

At least you can put tick prevention on dogs and dust your chickens. My boys go out to play in the summer and often come back with several ticks. We do an inspection every time they come in from playing. I'm very concerned about them catching something but what am I supposed to do? Tell them they can never go outside and play?

I've thought about guineas but even though we live in the country one of our neighbors is somewhat close by, and I'm afriad they will poop in her yard and make her mad with their noise, etc.

 

[PinkFlamingoFrm]

At least you can put tick prevention on dogs and dust your chickens. My boys go out to play in the summer and often come back with several ticks. We do an inspection every time they come in from playing. I'm very concerned about them catching something but what am I supposed to do? Tell them they can never go outside and play?

I've thought about guineas but even though we live in the country one of our neighbors is somewhat close by, and I'm afriad they will poop in her yard and make her mad with their noise, etc.

yep, thats all I can do for now. My dog has already tested lymes positive, so there isnt much else I can do for her, other than give her flea & tick medicine. But I will definitely be dusting my chickens soon. I heard if the tick is removed within 36 hours that they don't have time to pass any diseases.

 

[indigo3]

haha they may chase him when he delivers but that's because they are territorial. mine only make a ruckus when someone who's not family comes on the property, they are lilke watch dogs. they also keep away snakes and they slow down the traffic on my road which I really enjoy cause of babysitting my nieces lol

 

[PinkFlamingoFrm]

hmm.. I would love some snake control.. They scare me more than anything, almost more than ticks. Last year my dog killed one and then the next day I was walking off my front porch and one crawled right under my feet.. mind you, this snake wasnt much bigger than an earthworm.. but I screamed so loud I had neighbors coming over to see if I was ok lol.. Im gonna work on convincing him to get guineas but I dont think hes too happy with the 40 button quail eggs that are going in the incubator in the next few days.. so I might need to let that die down a lil, once he watches one of them hatch, maybe he will change his mind, hes a sucker for babies hmm..then maybe some guinea eggs

 

[dringge]

I have removed 17 ticks from myself this year. Worst year I have ever had. Mostly from tall grassy area near the coop. I better get something for the chickens.