Maine

[Frizz-Elle]

Yup... Silly chickens

 

[buckabucka]

I'm going to fill the water containers this evening. Probably we won't lose power, but we do still have a lot of icy trees here.

 

[quailtrail]

Hoping that it warms up and its just rain!!! High hopes.

Anyone treat their flocks as a preventive measure against mites and lice?? Saw that someone lost a hen from an infestation in another thread

 

[lazy gardener]

I just be sure to pick them up often and ruffle through their feathers to check. I did have a red mite infestation this fall that was a real pain to clear up. I'm hoping they won't be back to bug us this spring.

 

[suzMEchicks]

It was a beautiful day. I left my girls out all afternoon. Something happened though that I wonder about. Someone has been laying in the common area not in a laying box. When I went to close up for the night I looked in just in time to catch this scene. This time the egg outside the nest was one with a very soft shell not much more than a firm membrane. One of them pecked at it then they all lunged for it. They didnt fight over exactly but they all ate it up before I could get it. I hope this is an isolated incident but I doubt it. I have never seen an egg like that before but my sister was getting some like that with hers. Anyway until very recently I have been getting 6/6 eggs everyday. In late December it went down to 4-5/6. One day I only got 3 but its ben cold, right? I hope they arent going to be egg eaters. I cant stand there and guard them all day. Also wondering if anyone has an idea why sometimes eggs are streaked with blood?

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Hoping that it warms up and its just rain!!! High hopes.

Anyone treat their flocks as a preventive measure against mites and lice?? Saw that someone lost a hen from an infestation in another thread

I do. I worm twice a year, spring and fall with valbendazole and at the same time I do ivermectin pour on. This fall they actually had mites (thanks to my neighbor's birds) which were resistant to ivermectin, and I treated with FrontLine. Mite free so far.

 

[yankeehill]

I don't routinely treat them for mites, on account of not caring for using pesticides and such. I will use it, if I see any critters, just try to avoid it at all costs.

It may not have been your neighbor's fault entirely that you got mites. Mites can come from wild birds into our flocks. A lady I purchased hens from had this happen with her flock.


Has anyone had true success using DE for mites?

 

[buckabucka]

It was a beautiful day. I left my girls out all afternoon. Something happened though that I wonder about. Someone has been laying in the common area not in a laying box. When I went to close up for the night I looked in just in time to catch this scene. This time the egg outside the nest was one with a very soft shell not much more than a firm membrane. One of them pecked at it then they all lunged for it. They didnt fight over exactly but they all ate it up before I could get it. I hope this is an isolated incident but I doubt it. I have never seen an egg like that before but my sister was getting some like that with hers. Anyway until very recently I have been getting 6/6 eggs everyday. In late December it went down to 4-5/6. One day I only got 3 but its ben cold, right? I hope they arent going to be egg eaters. I cant stand there and guard them all day. Also wondering if anyone has an idea why sometimes eggs are streaked with blood?

It could be an isolated incidence. I had one drop an egg outside and everyone pounced on it. I thought maybe it was because it started rolling. They also eat eggs that drop and break on the poop board, or that someone crushes accidentally in the nest box, but somehow they haven't figured out they can peck through them.
I think blood streaks are from a blood vessel breaking. It seems to happen more with pullets or older hens, but doesn't happen all the time (at least with mine so far).

 

[Mainechick168]

I don't routinely treat them for mites, on account of not caring for using pesticides and such. I will use it, if I see any critters, just try to avoid it at all costs.

It may not have been your neighbor's fault entirely that you got mites. Mites can come from wild birds into our flocks. A lady I purchased hens from had this happen with her flock.


Has anyone had true success using DE for mites?

We had mites late summer/early fall this year- DE may be helpful in deterring, but it did not clear them up. I eventually ended up using frontline ( just a drop on each chicken) and I bought an oil based kitchen bug cleaner/killer- it said it was food safe- used that on the roosts and such. This combo took care of the problem.

Snow day again today! Maybe I'll bake again!

 

[suzMEchicks]

Thanks for the input about the egg eater possibilities. I'm reading about goats. It's so funny. I got the chickens and started thinking about goats, too. But I quickly come back to reality. I live 1/2hour from any city so out in the country but I live in a neighborhood. I have 2 neighbors on either side of me that barely tolerate my free ranging chix. They would probably string me up if I get any more animals. Of course I have to tolerate their loudness, wandering dog, etc. you have to keep peace with neighbors though. Its important. I emjoy reading your posts. I'll live bicariously through you guys.