FLORIDA!!!!!ALWAYS SUNNY SIDE UP!!!

[AmazingChickens]

Where are you loacated? 

Around Bradenton, it's kind of urgent, we really need a home for them

 

[Pasomom]

Around Bradenton, it's kind of urgent, we really need a home for them

My coop/pen will not be finished until about the third week in June. I wouldn'tI' mind having one or two orpintgons or ameracanas. I have a barred rock also coming, but not sure how they would all get along. I'm in Sebring, several hours away. My schedule is hectic, but maybe we can work something out. If you find someone else,, go ahead and move your boys, don't wait on me. Let me know what you are doing or have in mind.
Thanks
Barb

 

[BlueChick62]

Amazing Chickens, have you thought about Craigslist and FB? I have two nieces (different homes) with chickens in Bradenton, but I don't know if they'd want them.

 

[BlueChick62]

OK, Floridians, another question for you...my run is just about finished...the sand is inside the coop. My chicks are still in the house. My property seems to be "tick heaven" and always has been. Should I do anything to protect the earth in the run against parasites? Or the sand in the coop? I've read comments about diatomaceous earth.... thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

 

[abserbean]

I would use DE in the run area, it's great for chickens to dust bathe in. I actually mix DE with wood ash in the run, and rub the girls down with it every few months. I haven't treated the ground, but I do spray the girls with poultry protector about every three months. I haven't had problems with ticks, but have had issues with mites before I started with the poultry protector.

 

[joannefiddler]

OK, Floridians, another question for you...my run is just about finished...the sand is inside the coop. My chicks are still in the house. My property seems to be "tick heaven" and always has been. Should I do anything to protect the earth in the run against parasites? Or the sand in the coop? I've read comments about diatomaceous earth.... thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks in advance!

There are pros and cons to DE...see following:
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/de.htm

 

[abserbean]

Thanks for the article! I've never put it in their food, and I knew to use a mask when cleaning it out or using it, but I didn't really think about the hens breathing it in while dustbathing. I'm going to read up some more on this.

 

[BlueChick62]

There are pros and cons to DE...see following:
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/de.htm

Thanks for information Joannefiddler! Interesting read! Now I'm even more confused! however, knowledge is power! I'll just need to sort it out!

 

[BlueChick62]

Abserbean, have you noticed any issues with the DE and your chickens? Helpful or unhelpful?

 

[abserbean]

I haven't noticed any issues with using it, but my girls are only 1.5 yrs old, so maybe as they age there could be problems? I don't put it in their food, just in their dustbathing area. I honestly don't know if it was helping or not, b/c we developed an issue with mites/lice. I started using poultry protector about every three months or so, and no more problem. Most people have told me that mites/fleas/etc are just a part of having chickens, and as long as you don't get an infestation you should be fine. I did know that you aren't supposed to breath it in, but never really thought about it with the chickens (which seems a little careless, in retrospect). I will probably do some more research into it before I make a final decision. I've been using it around my bunny hutches to help with fleas too, and my rabbits have never had any fleas that I have noticed. With the rabbits, they aren't in direct contact, just around the perimeter of the hutch. I do think it helps cut down on the fleas in particular, but obviously don't want to keep using it if it's hurting my animals.