Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

For mugshot Monday, I present my little Coco (she’s acting broody and I don’t want her to be) she was in the coop, trying to hatch a golfball. So I brought her inside with me. (No bugs m’Lady on this chick!)

 

[bgmathteach]

omg I was reading this http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/PermGen.html ill never use that!

Permethrin is relatively safe if used as directed. Note that in this study, they were FED it for extended periods of time when there were issues - or put directly on skin of cats who are more sensitive. While I am NOT saying you should use it, using it AS DIRECTED and at normal concentrations with a face mask if spraying should be safe. Especially since you should only be using it IF you have things like chicken mites or lice that need to be controlled. Think about this: you take in caffeine daily (or most people do) and it affects you heart rate, memory, among other things. But, people continue to do so. In small doses it is fine. But multiple cups of joe, or one of those 'energy' drinks has a LOT of caffeine.

imho, it is safer than many of the other potential insectisides out there that you might use IF you had a mite problem that needed treating. You can use a torch on the coop to 'burn out' the mites, but any that are on the hens will repopulate the coop in short order, again, IF there is a problem to begin with.

I've heard of using peppermint oil - using it in strong enough doses to deter insects and rodents is/can be also toxic to them.

I think nearly anything can be toxic or have a negative effect if taken in too strong a dose or too much over time. The thing is balance. Use the least toxic possible, in the safest way possible. So, if you use permethrin, use a mask while spraying, don't let the chickens be around while spraying, nor until it has dried. That significantly limits their exposure and potential to inhale/ingest, which are much more dangerous routes than if it touches their skin (i.e. dried on roost)

So, good coop/run hygiene, keeping wild birds out as much as possible, and monitoring your chickens health and being proactive early is the best you can do - using the least toxic/damaging 'treatment' possible that will actually work is, imho, the best option. I use charcoal (well, ashes) in my dust baths that are covered/won't get wet as an aid in preventing mites and such. But, if I had an infestation, it wouldn't completely get rid of them, just assist in getting rid of the ones on the birds...I would still have to treat the coop some how....or burn it completely & start over.
Do I owe tax on this? I'll pay it just in case:

Photo bomber!

A Trio of mugs and 1 fluffy bum from the teenagers:

 

[bgmathteach]

She is like a weather gauge - as soon as it hits 85F and 50% humidity then it is time to sunbathe.
Crazy chick!
View attachment 3240225

Well, who would sunbathe in 50 degree weather? I mean, really!

she seems to be enjoying herself

 

[RoyalChick]

Well, who would sunbathe in 50 degree weather? I mean, really!

she seems to be enjoying herself

Good point! And yes, she does seem to enjoy it.

 

[featherhead007]

Sometimes I get complaints, that I don’t pay enough taxes. (It’s because I’m easily distracted) So I took some new pictures and am sharing them with you all now: tax:

 

[BY Bob]

Permethrin is relatively safe if used as directed. Note that in this study, they were FED it for extended periods of time when there were issues - or put directly on skin of cats who are more sensitive. While I am NOT saying you should use it, using it AS DIRECTED and at normal concentrations with a face mask if spraying should be safe. Especially since you should only be using it IF you have things like chicken mites or lice that need to be controlled. Think about this: you take in caffeine daily (or most people do) and it affects you heart rate, memory, among other things. But, people continue to do so. In small doses it is fine. But multiple cups of joe, or one of those 'energy' drinks has a LOT of caffeine.

imho, it is safer than many of the other potential insectisides out there that you might use IF you had a mite problem that needed treating. You can use a torch on the coop to 'burn out' the mites, but any that are on the hens will repopulate the coop in short order, again, IF there is a problem to begin with.

I've heard of using peppermint oil - using it in strong enough doses to deter insects and rodents is/can be also toxic to them.

I think nearly anything can be toxic or have a negative effect if taken in too strong a dose or too much over time. The thing is balance. Use the least toxic possible, in the safest way possible. So, if you use permethrin, use a mask while spraying, don't let the chickens be around while spraying, nor until it has dried. That significantly limits their exposure and potential to inhale/ingest, which are much more dangerous routes than if it touches their skin (i.e. dried on roost)

So, good coop/run hygiene, keeping wild birds out as much as possible, and monitoring your chickens health and being proactive early is the best you can do - using the least toxic/damaging 'treatment' possible that will actually work is, imho, the best option. I use charcoal (well, ashes) in my dust baths that are covered/won't get wet as an aid in preventing mites and such. But, if I had an infestation, it wouldn't completely get rid of them, just assist in getting rid of the ones on the birds...I would still have to treat the coop some how....or burn it completely & start over.
Do I owe tax on this? I'll pay it just in case:

Photo bomber!View attachment 3240361

A Trio of mugs and 1 fluffy bum from the teenagers:View attachment 3240364

This is a chicken topic so no tax was needed. I love the tax anyway.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I got brave and candled Momma Hens eggs for the first time this morning. She shrieked, and bit, but I was able to check them one by one without too much of a fuss. The first 3 are right on schedule. I'd say I will have chicks come Wednesday. The last egg is a dud though, completely clear and lit up like a Christmas tree. I thought since she was staying on the nest I would go ahead and remove the egg without any complaint. How wrong I was, I forgot that hen can count. I'm halfway out from under the house with the egg when she hit me in the back of the head and was ready to fight. Ok, you win you ole bat, you can keep the egg until the other 3 hatch. I put the egg back with the others and she settled right down glaring and growling at me. I want to say I love the ole devil, but that would be stretching it at times. Once again we tolerate each other.

 

[ValarieF]

I thought a while back you had got some elector psp - I haven’t used it but I believe it is effective.
The thing you linked in might have some repellent properties (it is a mix of essential oils), but I doubt it would treat an infestation.

Elector psp will work its the best

 

[RoyalChick]

Elector psp will work its the best

Wait. What? Did you change your name or did I go senile (quite possible).

 

[Marie2020]

From what I can see there is no active insecticide in this. It is lemon eucalyptus oil. That may have a repellent effect which is likely what you are looking for. I have no idea of the effectiveness of lemon eucalyptus oil in repelling mites.

Lemon and vinegar kills spiders . So there might be something in that.