Minnesota!

[scandiafowl]

Just had a call from a local family. They want eight dozen eggs!

Found a dealer for Blue Seal feed locally, it's been interesting comparing ingredients with my feed mill later crumble.
Animal Protein Products. Leaves much to the imagination.

 

[Minniechickmama]

^I told you, didn't I?
Where did you find the Blue Seal?

 

[holm25]

Anyone need a pair of African geese?? They r GREAT watch dogs for all types of poultry! They r not aggresive at all! The reason for selling is I need to make room for more chickens. They will be laying this spring and will even hatch their eggs!



I also have 20 eggs in the incubator if anyone wants a few chicks!!

 

[NathanZee]

HELP!! Alright, So it's been a while since I've been on here. I have a bit of a chicken issue- that was indeed self inflicted. I purchased some lovely blue orpingtons (finally!) from a crazy chicken lady in Wisconsin today (crazy meaning, she had a lot of chickens and... I hope she's not on this forum). Her place looked for the most part clean. I did a quick look over the vent and feathers of the hen and she looked good. I didn't look close enough. When I got her home, I saw some little white nits by her vent feathers. When I separated those feathers a couple little whitish creatures scurried away (their skin is gray, so it looked whitish on the hen, one looked a little brown on the rooster). I quickly got out the yard & garden dust and dusted them. Help!! I've never had bugs EVER. Any ideas? I'm so grossed out right now!!! Itchy!!! WHY DID I BUY THEM?!?! I promised myself to remain a closed flock. Ugh. I just want to bring them back. She said she's never had any infestations. Clearly that isn't the case. Suggestions? They are not near my own flock, but I still have to take care of my flock.

How DARE you call me crazy!!! Just kidding, I hope for your sake she isn't on BYC!

 

[scandiafowl]

^I told you, didn't I?
  Where did you find the Blue Seal?

At a store about 3 miles south of us. Right next door to where my kid's piano recital was today.
Saw the KENT sign and decided to stop in.
Good decision, it was. They told me that layer feed is the only product they carry because it's so well liked.

 

[scandiafowl]

And thank you, MCM!

 

[athalia17]

@NathanZee Lol!! There are a few other things I'd like to say, but I'm not- just in case she is on here!! Let's just say that I probably made a poor decision. About using Frontline, is there a withdraw period for eggs? The lady asked if I wanted them to be wormed and she used some sort of wormer on their vents. Is that normal? Apparently she says it takes care of bugs too. Sure didn't seem to be doing much for bugs. She was shocked that a stool sample from my flock showed me not having worms after a year. I have been very persistent at keeping things clean. Isn't it normal not to have worms? Or is that a common thing with chickens?

 

[athalia17]

Oh, also- I'm going for the class to be a certified poultry testing agent (now that I've mentioned I purchased birds with mites, no one will want me haha!). I just figured it was one of the best ways to learn about taking care of the flock. Plus, it's only $25. I also registered my flock with the state- and enrolled in that poultry program where they monitor things. I can't remember the term, sorry.

 

[Minniechickmama]

@NathanZee Lol!! There are a few other things I'd like to say, but I'm not- just in case she is on here!! Let's just say that I probably made a poor decision. About using Frontline, is there a withdraw period for eggs? The lady asked if I wanted them to be wormed and she used some sort of wormer on their vents. Is that normal? Apparently she says it takes care of bugs too. Sure didn't seem to be doing much for bugs. She was shocked that a stool sample from my flock showed me not having worms after a year. I have been very persistent at keeping things clean. Isn't it normal not to have worms? Or is that a common thing with chickens?

It sounds to me like she gave them a spray of flea and tick spray just under the vent, which is something I do and other breeders as well. It is where bugs will congregate on birds most. I found some feather mites on some of my Cochins I was supposed to sell this week, but delayed anyone from taking them yet until I get everyone checked over and cleared up. That is something I am sure comes from the fact that I get sparrows who find ways into the coop and the runs. Plus, free ranging, they can come in contact with wild birds enough to pick up external parasites too.

I have never heard of putting dewormer on vents. You should have asked her what it was. Seriously, the worms being inside the gut, you would want the dewormer put in the front end, not the back.

 

[athalia17]

She wasn't using a spray, instead it was like an essential oil dropper. She put a few drops of what was an all purpose cow wormer/bug remover (basically how she described it) near their vents. She learned about it from someone else. I sent her an email to inform her also.

What do feather mites look like? White eggs, and whitish bodies? I hope this gets rid of hem. You used a dust to get rid of your mites? Is it 1 treatment of dust, wait 5 days, another, wait 5 days, and one last one? Thanks!! That's funny about what end the wormer goes in. You would want them to ingest it! I've never had to deal with it, but maybe I will now... ugh.