Thanks!
I've dealt with the rest of the flock by removing any chicken who doesn't seem healthy, as fast as possible. I'm at the coop easily three times a day - even with 85 chickens, you have an idea if someone isn't right.
When it gets warmer, I'll clean the coop, with DE or something else. I hate using chemicals. There is a lice or mite problem, but it's freezing, I've got three hens sitting on eggs and there's no chance of my doing this in the next few weeks. What I want to do this afternoon is clip a few beaks, as they're interfering with birds eating!
The coop is a year old and we keep it clean. The ammonia doesn't get bad and I think that's really helpful. The chickens free range and are fed organically, as well as lots of human treats. I think that helps too - especially the treats. We lost a few to hawks and a few to dogs (ours, sadly) and some just disappeared. We also are rarely away from the house for more than 8 hours, so we can monitor things quite prudently.
I dewormed a few months ago and will do so again in the spring. Someone had suggested alternating dewormers and I like that idea. Any suggestions?
As for how, I'm relatively new to this and did exactly what the books say not to do: I've got birds of different ages and breeds, all living together, from no fewer than seven sources. We also have many wild turkeys here, as well as other birds, and rodents, including deer, and I'm sure some are carriers of things we don't want.
I'm also lucky that my Mom lives close by and is a nurse practioner, who spent many years on the rescue squad, ER and simply doesn't get grossed out by anything. We don't want to see birds die, but also can't rationalize large vet bills.
