INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[iamfivewire]

;- (

 

[Leahs Mom]

The little runt rooster did not make it :-(

Sorry to hear.

 

[Mother2Hens]

well shoot it didn't quote the right one... oh well The lime says barn lime too, so do ya think it would hurt my goats? Anyone ever use it in a goat house? I'm glad you posted that about the lime, I didn't know. I know farmers use it in fields, but didn't know I could use it in my coops. I need to get rid of lots of flys. How long does it keep the flys away? would it be ok with Juveniles?
Thanks again for posting it.

It's basically pulverized limestone. Here's a definition:

1. Agricultural lime, also called aglime, Biolime, agricultural limestone, garden lime or liming, is a soil additive made from pulverized limestone that also can contain chalk and dolomite. The primary active component is calcium carbonate.

Do NOT use hydrated or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), also called quick or burnt lime or builder's/construction lime or pickler's lime. One way to get mixed up is that this type of lime is used to clean (whitewash) barns when animals are not around. It also is used in some soils. It causes chemical burns to humans and animals.

Garden lime/Agricultural lime: It's fine for all livestock as long as you toss it around when the animals aren't nearby so they won't have any respiratory problems. Inside the coop, I mix it in with deep litter or pine shavings in nesting boxes. It only makes a dust cloud when you first toss it. After it gets slightly damp, it isn't dusty. You can buy it in pellets, but I've always used the powder because I'm guessing that it covers poop better as a powder. Powder can be used for wasp's nests.

Since I only have 9 chickens, I clean up inside of the coop each morning. Each evening, I clean outside areas where they congregate. Throughout the day, it's handy to throw some lime on poop and hose it off later. Even if you pick up poop (using gloves), there's usually a wet spot. Flies will still land there, so I sprinkle lime on those spots, too. Flies like dampness. Lime keeps flies away by covering up what the flies are landing on, flies don't want to breed where lime is, and lime helps dry out damp areas. Running fans keeps flies away, too.

It's recommended not to sprinkle lime around a vegetable or fruit garden because garden lime makes the soil less acidic. That's good for some plants and not good for others. I sprinkle it near a large virbenum bush (their favorite hang-out), and near heliotrope and day lilies without any problems.


About fly control for goats, I noticed that many sites recommend Cylence for goats and other livestock. "100% control of biting and sucking lice as well as face and horn flies." I don't know anything about it other than I kept seeing that product mentioned.
I ran across this interesting info about caring for goats. It also explains the importance of keeping those pests away: Management of goats - Illinois Meat Goat Producers

Btw, I enjoy reading your stories about your livestock and your DH!

 

[Mother2Hens]

So sorry @Bawk ! You did everything you could and it was lucky to have you.

Hope your other babies bring you love and cheer.

 

[chick rookie]

today. she seen the camera and decided sh had to roll in the mud
first day




these are the 5 chicks I hatched out of 30 eggs!!! I suck!!!!
the last pic is the last chick hatched 2 day after the due date and she it still wobbly and weak.

 

[Mother2Hens]

Sorry, but I forgot to mention one of the best things about Garden Lime— it fights odors! You know how your coop smells worse when it's damp outside? Just raking some garden lime into the deep litter and adding a little to pine shavings in nesting boxes really improves odor problems.

 

[Indyshent]

The little runt rooster did not make it :-(

I'm so sorry for your loss!

 

[Bawk]

Thanks folks.

 

[dennislambert79]

Haven't been on for bit with work and all. So mad come home and find a dead chicken then 4 more and 9 missing. Neighbors dog got them and killed them on. I confronted neighbor and he was nice and apologetic and offered to pay for loss. I didn't take any money from him. They just starting laying 2 weeks ago got them in early February. Makes me mad out at least 400$ on them plus future worth for selling eggs. Mainly how much time I spent watching them and all of their personalities. I had one with wry neck took her 4 months to get over so I named her twisty and I spent a lot of time talking to her and she would move that crooked neck of hers at me like I was probably crazy. Up to know I only loss 1 chicken. Today I loose 14 out 16. Apparently the people that used to live at my house had same problem with the same dog.

 

[pbirdhaven]

Congratulations to @pipdzipdnreadytogo !!

She was awarded a BYC "Friend" Award this quarter!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...cator-friend-spirit-greeter/200#post_15524802

The little runt rooster did not make it :-(

As jchney pointed out, Polish chicks are pretty fragile. I know the feeling of giving all the care and love just to lost the chick. You said that you still have one--do you have others? They really shouldn't be with other breeds, although I brood the babies together when they're still pretty small.
I don't know where you are, but if fairly near me, I would be happy to give you a chick as a companion for your other Polish if you want one. I have both LF and bantams.