Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

I don't use the stuff. I don't see the point. I think the stuff has a legend out of line with what makes scientific sense.

Have you ever had a mite problem, and how did you deal with it? Pyrethrin or ivermectin or something? I don't know a whole lot about it actually.

The DE enthusiasts tell stories about horrendous mite infestations where some people resorted to burning down their coops.

 

[BY Bob]

Have you ever had a mite problem, and how did you deal with it? Pyrethrin or ivermectin or something? I don't know a whole lot about it actually.

The DE enthusiasts tell stories about horrendous mite infestations where some people resorted to burning down their coops.

I've never had a mite infestation. [Knock on wood] I have spray on hand, I don't remember which, but I've never had to use it. I'll check to see which when I get home. I do torch the coop like @Shadrach periodically.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I've never had a mite infestation. [Knock on wood] I have spray on hand, I don't remember which, but I've never had to use it. I'll check to see which when I get home. I do torch the coop like @Shadrach periodically.

I am thinking about doing a thorough clean of my plastic Omlet coop as it's coming up on a year in late August. I haven't seen any mites though, and I've been looking now and then, basically looking for tiny moving specks. Or do you have to use a magnifying glass on the walls and cracks? Or on the chickens?

 

[Lady Red]

As we have a lot of newer chicken keepers I am linking to the following post in @GrandmaDeKorte thread. It is an excellent breakdown of how your chickens will react to heat and when you should start paying attention and be concerned.

Post in thread 'Leghorn Hens - What Wonderful Chickens' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/leghorn-hens-what-wonderful-chickens.1297783/post-24639889

GrandmaDeKorte also covers dogs as well as she has 2 beautiful dogs, Tony and Ziva.

Thank you! As one of the new chicken folks, I've been keeping an eye on my girls. They range in their yard from ~530a-830p so the coop isn't an issue, and they have several shady places throughout the day.

Even still, I give them 3 or 4 choices for water. Hubby gave them ice cubes in two of the bowls to see if they'd like it.

They have all been holding their wings out a bit and beak breathing. No one is lethargic (thank goodness). Surprisingly we have had 4 days in a row with all 7 laying.

Just as an extra measure, I've watered down the areas they like to rest in. I figure a cooler ground would be appreciated, and my hunch was right. They played in the mud and scratched at it.

So this will be my routine during these hot days.

I know many give frozen treats to their flock, but I'm being more careful about treats after Naenae's laying issues. Tomorrow they will get a greek yogurt mix with feed and greens per our new normal course of treats.

 

[BY Bob]

I am thinking about doing a thorough clean of my plastic Omlet coop as it's coming up on a year in late August. I haven't seen any mites though, and I've been looking now and then, basically looking for tiny moving specks. Or do you have to use a magnifying glass on the walls and cracks? Or on the chickens?

Red Mites come out at night. They hide in crevasses in your coop during the day. An easy way to see if you have an infestation is to go to the coop at night and run your hand across the bottom of the roost. If you find red then you have smushed some mites.

Barring that, as always, watch your tribe. They will tell you with their behavior.

Typical indications include some or all of the following:

• Loss of feathers
• Scabs on legs and feet
• Pale comb and wattles
• Fewer eggs than usual
• Reluctance to roost
• Blood smears on legs

If you examine your chicken with a magnifying glass you'll see clumps of mites at the base of the feathers, particularly under the wings and around the vent.

Before the mites feed, they are grey. Once they feed they turn red.

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you! As one of the new chicken folks, I've been keeping an eye on my girls. They range in their yard from ~530a-830p so the coop isn't an issue, and they have several shady places throughout the day.

Even still, I give them 3 or 4 choices for water. Hubby gave them ice cubes in two of the bowls to see if they'd like it.

They have all been holding their wings out a bit and beak breathing. No one is lethargic (thank goodness). Surprisingly we have had 4 days in a row with all 7 laying.

Just as an extra measure, I've watered down the areas they like to rest in. I figure a cooler ground would be appreciated, and my hunch was right. They played in the mud and scratched at it.

So this will be my routine during these hot days.

I know many give frozen treats to their flock, but I'm being more careful about treats after Naenae's laying issues. Tomorrow they will get a greek yogurt mix with feed and greens per our new normal course of treats.

Hosing down the areas they hang out in is a huge help. @GrandmaDeKorte sprayed down her run yesterday and the air temp dropped 15 degrees!

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you! As one of the new chicken folks, I've been keeping an eye on my girls. They range in their yard from ~530a-830p so the coop isn't an issue, and they have several shady places throughout the day.

Even still, I give them 3 or 4 choices for water. Hubby gave them ice cubes in two of the bowls to see if they'd like it.

They have all been holding their wings out a bit and beak breathing. No one is lethargic (thank goodness). Surprisingly we have had 4 days in a row with all 7 laying.

Just as an extra measure, I've watered down the areas they like to rest in. I figure a cooler ground would be appreciated, and my hunch was right. They played in the mud and scratched at it.

So this will be my routine during these hot days.

I know many give frozen treats to their flock, but I'm being more careful about treats after Naenae's laying issues. Tomorrow they will get a greek yogurt mix with feed and greens per our new normal course of treats.

You are doing great. Just keep watching them. If you see distress move quickly to cool them.

 

[Lady Red]

Hosing down the areas they hang out in is a huge help. @GrandmaDeKorte sprayed down her run yesterday and the air temp dropped 15 degrees!

That is remarkable!

 

[BY Bob]

That is remarkable!

I've been doing it for years without realizing how effective it is.

 

[Lady Red]

I've been doing it for years without realizing how effective it is.

Just going by the girls' reaction I knew I was onto something good