Idaho?

[La Casa de Pollo]

fipronil comes in drops at the pet store, I've bought some at Walmart also, just look for flea and tick in the dog section and look for the active ingredient. There are others also, but I have read Fipronil is the safest (egg-wise) for laying hens.

You can also mix the poultry protector in a bucket and dip the birds up to the neck to completely saturate them. It uses a lot of poultry protector though. I re-use the dip to do several birds with one batch. Also there is flea and tick dog spray you can use, it does the same thing, anything with pyrethrins. I do sprinkle DE or pyrethrin dust (garden dust) in and around the coop and nests everytime I change the bedding. I have not ever had a problem with it making them sick or causing problems. I sprinkle it in their favorite dust bathing holes, and also wood ash from our bonfires, that is supposed to be a good natural deterrent to mites and lice.

Good luck!

 

[MeAndTheBoyz]

Mark your calendars and plan on attending!

 

[cmknight]

So, in this mite/flea conversation, someone suggested citric acid as treatment. I have read that one of the things you should not feed your chickens is citrus fruit, ex. oranges, lemons, limes. So if this is the case, why would you be able to put citric acid in their water and not have it kill them?

 

[Birdrain92]

So, in this mite/flea conversation, someone suggested citric acid as treatment. I have read that one of the things you should not feed your chickens is citrus fruit, ex. oranges, lemons, limes. So if this is the case, why would you be able to put citric acid in their water and not have it kill them?

I've fed my chickens oranges and lemons before and never had any problems. If you read the back of the Poultry Protector it lists that it is made of water, yeast, and citric acid. Also when you open it you can smell the lemon juice, also it's yellowish color.

 

[BoiseChik]

Is there a way to determine if your chickens have worms, other than by a veterinarian? I did read a health article that recommended deworming annually as a precaution. Is that common practice around here?

Also, we are looking for a small shed to use as a coop. Our current one is too small. If anyone knows about a shed or walk-in coop for sale, let me know. Thanks!

 

[Pebblypoo]

Hello, I'm a newby and I live in north Idaho, way north. I just started getting chickens and I want to be sure I'm doing everything right by them, so I'm doing a lot of reading. I guess my biggest concern is winter. My coop is big, like a small barn, and not insulated. It does have electricity, so I can try to keep it semi-warm (at least not frozen solid), but it's also downhill and I know it's going to be a "you-know-what" getting up and down the hill when the trail is frozen over. I'm almost 54, so I don't bounce so well any more. I just hope I'm able to keep both me and my chickens alive. Any advice is welcome. Thanks for letting me in your coop!!!!

 

[Birdrain92]

Is there a way to determine if your chickens have worms, other than by a veterinarian? I did read a health article that recommended deworming annually as a precaution. Is that common practice around here?

Also, we are looking for a small shed to use as a coop. Our current one is too small. If anyone knows about a shed or walk-in coop for sale, let me know. Thanks!

I don't usually worm my chickens since they are very hardy though I do give them Pumpkin seeds once a year which tend to give them a brake.

Hello, I'm a newby and I live in north Idaho, way north. I just started getting chickens and I want to be sure I'm doing everything right by them, so I'm doing a lot of reading. I guess my biggest concern is winter. My coop is big, like a small barn, and not insulated. It does have electricity, so I can try to keep it semi-warm (at least not frozen solid), but it's also downhill and I know it's going to be a "you-know-what" getting up and down the hill when the trail is frozen over. I'm almost 54, so I don't bounce so well any more. I just hope I'm able to keep both me and my chickens alive. Any advice is welcome. Thanks for letting me in your coop!!!!

For winter I would make sure they have a heat lamp to help keep your egg production better than what it could be without a light or heat. Make sure you have a water heater for the chickens so you don't have to keep breaking the ice in the waterer.

 

[Robbo]

Hi, I use my incubator to help others if they'd like some chicks. My friend was ready for some more babes and I sat 4 extra and all took, so if all the hatching goes well I will have 4 baby chicks needing a home soon. If you are interested please let me know.

They are a backyard mix. Just a small flock and I love watching chicks hatch so I help out when I can.

My roo is a Barred Rock....

11 hens who range in...
Silkies, Easter Eggers, Silver Laced, Buff Orps, Rhode Island Reds, and Red Sex Links.

 

[Michelle27]

Hi, I use my incubator to help others if they'd like some chicks. My friend was ready for some more babes and I sat 4 extra and all took, so if all the hatching goes well I will have 4 baby chicks needing a home soon. If you are interested please let me know. 

They are a backyard mix. Just a small flock and I love watching chicks hatch so I help out when I can.  

My roo is a Barred Rock.... 

11 hens who range in... 
Silkies, Easter Eggers, Silver Laced, Buff Orps, Rhode Island Reds, and Red Sex Links. 

I'd be interested if any of them are silkies ?
What part of idaho are you in?

 

[Feathyr]

So, in this mite/flea conversation, someone suggested citric acid as treatment. I have read that one of the things you should not feed your chickens is citrus fruit, ex. oranges, lemons, limes. So if this is the case, why would you be able to put citric acid in their water and not have it kill them?

It's been proven that too much citrus can lower birds' protein and calcium levels, which may lead to feather picking and softer shells. Moderation is the key here.

Peels, on the other hand, I would discourage due a potential choking hazard. I can't find anything that says they're toxic, though, so chopping them up into bits may be alright.

Supposedly citrus (as well as garlic and onion) is supposed to give the eggs an odd flavor, but I can't find any sources that prove such. A few people swear they can taste it in the eggs... may just be in their heads.