Egg laying and Advice!

[Dandella-x]

Hi there!

It's a long one so hold tight!

Currently new to this thread and new to keeping chickens! I've actually had my chickens from day 1 and raised all 3 (2 Bantams 1 male 1 female and 1 female Silkie) I've had them for just over a year now. They live in an old shed I cleared out, I place hay down on the floor which is cleared once every two weeks as they actually sleep in a big metal dog cage with a cover over that has a perch in and I replace the sawdust once a week, I refresh it over a couple times a week. They've been raised in the dog cage so I've always kept them in there when I transitioned them from inside to out. Anyway I've always checked their poo for worms and them individually for fleas/mites. It's only recently that my little bantam has started to lay eggs and she's laying once a day 1-2 eggs. They get fresh food and water daily and there also free range so they barely spend anytime in the shed as I have a huge back garden. It's only now I've started wondering whether I need to flea and worm them? I've never had chickens before so I've never given it a thought. They all seem to be in happy healthy condition as far as I can see. So really I just need advice I'm doing everything ok and whether I need to flea and worm them on a regular basis? I've started eating the eggs and stupidly googled this haha!

Many thanks for reading and I appreciate any advice you can offer. (I'm also sorry if this is in the wrong forum)

 

[klohman]

It sounds like you are doing everything right. I think the simplest solution is to get yourself some Diatamaceous Earth. We use it in their food, the coop etc. It will get rid of worms, mites, fleas. We also sprinkle it on the floor of the coop to help keep it dry and mite free. I love the stuff!!

 

[Dandella-x]

Brilliant thank you! I will look into buying it as a lot of people are reccommending it!

 

[aart]

Many folks routinely worm their chickens...read up carefully on the different meds used for worming and the withdrawal time for eggs and meat before applying.

DE will not do anything for internal parasites, it is useless when wet.
DE is often put in livestock feed to keep any insects from living in the feed while it is in storage.

DE can help prevent external parasites by sprinkling it in the bottom of nest boxes and on the floor of the coop under the bedding, some folks put it in the dusting area as well, but it can be a respiratory irritant.