NY chicken lover!!!!

[Lynzi777]

So my KC drake has been limping around all day. Not sure what's going on. I managed to get a hold of him earlier to see if it was anything visible-cuts, scrapes, etc. there was nothing there. I tried putting him in the "grow out" pen in the shed that I just created yesterday but when I went in to check on him he flew out and was walking around in the shed. I feel bad cuz he's trying to keep up with the others but when they reach their destination he immediately lays down. What should I do?

 

[LuvMyChicks1491]

Quote:

Does anyone out there use diatomaceous earth to mix in a dust bath for their birds? I give my birds a pan of this mixed w dirt. As far as I know they don't have mites, but it might just be coincidence. Any opinions on DE?

I use an old recycle bin for my girls dust bath. In it I use mostly wood ash then I also add some sand and DE. As soon as I bring out the big green tub, they know and will follow me till I put it down. Ever wonder how many hens will fi in a recycle bin? There were 5 in at one time with 2 sitting on the edge. What a sight to see!

I also sprinkle it in the coops and nest boxes once a month and when I clean it out.

 

[AbiLuv]

Welcome ! Love your avatar ..Is that a chicken ? or a quail

It's a chicken. Bantam actually.
She's the one that we lost today, only a week old
But she was uber cute and I'm keeping this pic forever <3

 

[SunnysideupstateNY]

Not even them i asked

Bums!

 

[JWEBB]

So my KC drake has been limping around all day. Not sure what's going on. I managed to get a hold of him earlier to see if it was anything visible-cuts, scrapes, etc. there was nothing there. I tried putting him in the "grow out" pen in the shed that I just created yesterday but when I went in to check on him he flew out and was walking around in the shed. I feel bad cuz he's trying to keep up with the others but when they reach their destination he immediately lays down. What should I do?

I would put him in a cage for rest on the leg and some kind of treatment just immune boost foods etc. My dogs are the same way will run their butts off with a torn ligament cuz the other dog is going somewhere I just have to force crate rest . Well thats my chicken rehab plan anyhow.

 

[JWEBB]

I'm scared I'm going to to run into the same problem here. I've been wanting to bathe the silkies because their bottoms are just gross and could really use a trimming, wouldn't hurt either, could help with fertility ;-), but I mostly wanted to get them bathed before putting them in that new coop just in case they did have mites, they wouldn't transport them there. I haven't seen any itching going on so hopefully they are good. I'm hoping they are clean and I only have to bathe 3 birds and not the whole flock of 9 bantams. :-/

Lynzi, am I ever going to keep the Silkies feet clean? is it better when they are outside? do you use any particular ground material? I can't wait to let them get in the grass! inside for a while longer now I just use paper towel and shavings but yikes their feet get funky!

its a good thing they do like the blow dryer, the bathing of the feet not so much lol. I'm thinking of using sand in the coops area inside the barn.

 

[JWEBB]

It's a chicken. Bantam actually.
She's the one that we lost today, only a week old
But she was uber cute and I'm keeping this pic forever <3

aw she is so cute sorry you lost her

 

[Lynzi777]

Lynzi, am I ever going to keep the Silkies feet clean?  is it better when they are outside? do you use any particular ground material? I can't wait to let them get in the grass! inside for a while longer now I just use paper towel and shavings but yikes their feet get funky!    its a good thing they do like the blow dryer, the bathing of the feet not so much lol. I'm thinking of using sand in the coops area inside the barn. 

I don't worry too much about their feet. It's the rest of their bodies- crest feathers, bottoms that I like to make sure stay clean. Mine are outside everyday now that they have their coop/run set up. They seem to be in pretty fair condition.

 

[JWEBB]

okay cool.

the rest of them look pretty good, getting some nice big kid feathering, hoping out on grass and dirt etc will help the feets stay a little cleaner.

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote:
So sorry ..about her passing & my bad timing .

okay cool.

the rest of them look pretty good, getting some nice big kid feathering, hoping out on grass and dirt etc will help the feets stay a little cleaner.

In general chickens feet are not the cleanest part of them . .if you add fresh bedding every day on top of old bedding that will keep their feet cleaner .
Mine are running around my cellar ...( literally they escaped 2 times today ) I have newspaper down in their area . When it ( poop) dries it can be collected or papers changed