INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[BlackdogHS]

Can anyone tell me the difference between barn lime & garden lime? Which should be used to dry up muddy areas of chicken run/coop?

The barn/dairy lime's label stating "contains no caustic or synthetic additives" is a big factor I would think. I know that hydrated lime is harmful to animals, but I'm not sure if that's what garden lime is. The fact that it is in pellets form is sketchy though. That means there is a binder additive involved. I'd dig up the MSDS if possible and see if it warns against any irritation and verify what the binder actually is. Personally, if the ingredients label the binder as "binder" or "binding agent" as opposed to "cornstarch (for binding purposes)" or something similar, I stay clear. I can't speak on the chicken side of this, because I'm new to this game, but for lawncare, gardening, and my other animals, that's what I go by.

 

[Faraday40]

I wasn't sure which to buy, so I skipped it. The barn lime was a smaller bag (but weighed 50lbs) and dusty. I'm guessing it's a very fine powder. It was sold in the ag area, so I started reading the label. There were warnings about not breathing it in and using in a well ventilated area. (Well ventilation's not a problem, but when my run eventually dries up, the chickens will be scratching & stirring it up. They live there, so if it doesn't work it's way down through the sand by the time everything's dry, they will be breathing it.)

Of course, I know nothing of garden lime, except that it costs more, was in pellets, larger bag, and in the garden section.

I'm very glad to be in a house that's not flooded. However, this was the worst yard flooding since we owned chickens. Most of the time the sand is wet for 5-24 hrs after a heavy rain. (even when the far back of the yard has standing water) This time there was flooding all over the yard. There was a moat around the coop/run. When the chickens dug down in their normal dust bath spot, there was standing water! Yikes. The sand is still very wet and several yard puddles remain. Although the chickens don't seem to mind the water. It bothers me when I can't sift the sand - too wet. The best I can do is turn it. I've been forcing my dog to stay outside with them so they can spend most of the day free-ranging outside of the run/coop.

 

[JanetMarie]

Had to bring a sick Dominique hen in the house. I started giving her amoxacillin (sp) yesterday by mixing with water and forcing it down her throat, and she started drinking water on her own shortly after the first treatment. Before that she did not eat or drink anything, and I think she hasn't in awhile. I would rather not use an antibiotic, since I do things as organically as possible, but I need something to work fast, and natural remedies take longer.

She had and still has some mites also. I've been putting sunflower oil on her to smother the mites, which is the most non-toxic remedy I know of. I won't use DTE, because I don't want to breathe it and don't want to be around it at all. The mites still get on me when I handle her and it's really yucky!! I'm sure she appreciates it though.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Had to bring a sick Dominique hen in the house. I started giving her amoxacillin (sp) yesterday by mixing with water and forcing it down her throat, and she started drinking water on her own shortly after the first treatment. Before that she did not eat or drink anything, and I think she hasn't in awhile. I would rather not use an antibiotic, since I do things as organically as possible, but I need something to work fast, and natural remedies take longer.

She had and still has some mites also. I've been putting sunflower oil on her to smother the mites, which is the most non-toxic remedy I know of. I won't use DTE, because I don't want to breathe it and don't want to be around it at all. The mites still get on me when I handle her and it's really yucky!! I'm sure she appreciates it though.

Maybe she is anemic from the mites? If they are crawling on you, I would assume it is a severe infestation? How about using that garlic spray remedy that gets passed around. I think it has oil and garlic and soap which would smother the mites.
Does she have a dust bath?
Is DTE diatomaceous earth?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

This thread has it listed. Post #5.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/help-huge-mite-problem.1220272/#post-19517929

 

[JanetMarie]

Maybe she is anemic from the mites? If they are crawling on you, I would assume it is a severe infestation? How about using that garlic spray remedy that gets passed around. I think it has oil and garlic and soap which would smother the mites.
Does she have a dust bath?
Is DTE diatomaceous earth?

She has mites because she's ill. Her comb and wattles are still red, so not anemic, and probably why I didn't notice she was sick sooner.

I've only had problems with mites here on birds that are ill, old and dying, broody hens, and birds that can't take a dust bath properly.

The mites that are getting on me now are the ones crawling around on the outside of her feathers looking for another place on her to settle and re-produce, since I've found and broken up all the mite parties on her (hopefully, I'll keep checking).

I believe she has a bacterial infection, because her poo seems to indicate that.

Yes, DTE is diatomaceous earth. I used to use it.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

She has mites because she's ill. Her comb and wattles are still red, so not anemic, and probably why I didn't notice she was sick sooner.

I've only had problems with mites here on birds that are ill, old and dying, broody hens, and birds that can't take a dust bath properly.

The mites that are getting on me now are the ones crawling around on the outside of her feathers looking for another place on her to settle and re-produce, since I've found and broken up all the mite parties on her (hopefully, I'll keep checking).

I believe she has a bacterial infection, because her poo seems to indicate that.

Yes, DTE is diatomaceous earth. I used to use it.

Oh I see.

 

[Nyla]

Reminded me of Tarzan..... LOL

Oh I see.

 

[HarleysGonePostal]

Central Indiana here

My intro

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hello.1224380/#post-19619561

 

[Leahs Mom]

@HarleySpicedLatte
Good to have you!

Tell us about yourself Do you currently have chickens? Going to get some in the future? What kind? Etc.