Ok, I've been off for a while (minus the venting about having to move my chickens last week)...so I'm gonna just jump back in...
First of all, today I moved my flock of 7 (6 laying hens and my roo) up to Pasco County to my sister's house, where they were welcomed by the neighbor's chickens...you shoulda heard their 3 roosters and my roo competing...lol...gonna have some raspy voices in the morning! Thankfully there are numerous chicken people on her street, as I heard them all day long, and my sister says the crowing doesn't bother her...whew!
On a sidenote- I called our code enforcement in Pinellas Park where I live, and left them a msg informing them that I was moving the birds today, so I also mentioned that I heard that making chickens legal in our city was on an upcoming ballot...asked that she call me back if that was true...sure enough, I received a call this afternoon (let it go to voicemail, as I was still perturbed at having to move my birds after them being there FOR A YEAR)...she left a really nice message, and told me that yes, it was in fact going to be on one of the upcoming agendas but she didnt have an exact date...said she would keep me informed...obviously if it passes, I will be bringing my girls back home...well, probably not ALL of them, as my neices and nephews are inthralled with the fact that they now have their very own chickens
Plus, I wouldn't be able to bring my roo home, and don't want to stress him by taking away all of his girls...So, Pinellas Park is making a step in the right direction, I hope...
While we're at it- YAY Tampa! Another move in the right direction!
Maye- I'm sorry about the loss of your horse
Health question- it appears that 2 of my 5 birds appear to have contracted mites?! One of my silkies has lost her little poof, and my cochin has missing feathers on the back of her neck and a spot on her chest...they have been wormed with wazine and fenbendazole, so I'm pretty sure they aren't picking at themselves or each other...I've dusted the entire area with diatomaceous earth (the coop and the pen), dusted ALL the birds...Is there anything else I should do? I have inspected the birds, but do not see any mites...thinking perhaps they are too small to see with the naked eye? The birds are all eating and drinking well, are good weight, very active, and are continuing to lay...At this point I cannot quaranting them, and everyone is already exposed...Suggestions?
Oh, and once the mites or whatever it is clears up, I will be wanting to find a new home for the silkie...she's a partridge silkie (I believe- yellowish with blue mixed?)...actually a silkie / Polish mix, but the only Polish part I see are the wing feathers (but I'm not an expert)...I've never really bonded with her like I have the other birds, and would feel better finding her a new home with someone that wants her (Am I a horrible person for not liking her?! Her sister is my favorite!)...Anyways, right now she has spurts of going broody and wanting to sit on everything...hoping someone out there is looking for a broody hen? She just turned a year old in March...If anyone is interested, shes located in Zephyrhills now...please let me know!
