Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[Wynette]

Mites - the wild bird population is crawling with them, so if your flock ever comes into contact with wild birds (and most of ours do!), you'll get them on occasion. It's not a matter of not keeping a clean coop. I use Eprinex twice yearly, and (knock wood) I haven't had a problem the last few years. HOWEVER, I HAVE been reading that mites build a resistance to it, just like many parasites and treatments. So, I've been considering stopping the use of Eprinex for a couple of years. Lots of folks are now using a flea med for dogs...okay, it's probably the most common one, but I can't for the life of me remember its name right now. Problem is, it's off label use (of course, so is Eprinex, but it's been used long enough that we have shared information and know the proper dosage), so there's not a lot of information out about the dosage and timeframe to withhold eggs, how often to use, etc.

 

[Kassaundra]

I thought I would link this here as I know many of you have had chickens for years. Any idea what is happening with my girls?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...rs-stripped-what-is-causing-this#post_9303483
I've determined Topsy is broodied. So now I have to decide what to do with her.

My coop is sized for maximum of 12 LF chickens (10'x5'=50sq ft, with 4 sq ft per chicken that means 12.5 and I don't have any half chickens).
My flock now in diminishing size but not diminishing age is:
1 Welsummer cockerel (deciding between cockerels right now)
1 Ameraucana cockerel (trying to decide if I want to keep vs wellie vs silkie)
3 LF Lavender Orpington pullets
1 silkie cockerel whom I will most likely keep
1 White Leghorn pullet
1 Ancona pullet
1 EE pullet
1 EE/WL mix pullet
And
6 baby 6 weekld silkies of unknown sex, but probably 4 cockerels and 2 pullets
Adding those up means I have 16 chickens! I've my limit by 4, but those are small babies at present.
So clearly you can see I will reach maximum capacity quickly, especially if I add any more LF breeds in this mix. I do so want some dark egg layers! Thoughts?

Couple of questions, how much run/yard space do they have?
Is your weather or set up where they have to spend extended times in the coop only?
How is your ventilation?


Also is your question why the feathers are breaking or how to add more chickens to your existing space?

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

When we first had mites 2 yrs ago in the summer, I only used DE and nothing else but they came anyway, so I only use DE to keep feed fresh. glad it worked for you though.

I think it worked because it was a very light infestation. And the one hen that actually had mites on her got the Sevin dust. I was careful with that stuff but it worked very well.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I think it worked because it was a very light infestation. And the one hen that actually had mites on her got the Sevin dust. I was careful with that stuff but it worked very well.

Whats so weird about this break out is I go into my coops daily turn bedding spray down bedding and until Betty started sitting a little over 21 days ago hadn't seen or better yet felt 1 mite, then I go into move her and reach into her nest and my arm is covered with them, and I had been sticking my arm in there daily checking the eggs, They sure came up fast. So now I will feel those little newly hatched mites crawling all over me for a while, they were transparent so they were babies. yuck. And today 6 of my bantams will be going to their new home, 2 mama and their 4 chicks, sad but relieved that they will be going to a nice place.

 

[bobbieschicks]

That baby chick looks like it would like to kick butt, look at it's face.  

Haha! It does! What a stink eye!

 

[bobbieschicks]

Couple of questions, how much run/yard space do they have?
Is your weather or set up where they have to spend extended times in the coop only?
How is your ventilation?


Also is your question why the feathers are breaking or how to add more chickens to your existing space?

I guess I'm asking both questions. What the deal is with he stripped feathers I'm worried they have some sort of bug that may spread.

and any thoughts on whether there's even room for more chicks. I suppose I can always sell any extras that are born, but I haven't done that before.

My coop (10x5) has an attached secure run that is uncovered (I will be covering it this fall) which adds outdoor access of about another 100 sq feet not counting the coop that makes part of the rectangle (15x10). Then outside that is an unsecured run of 120 sq (40'x30') feet on either side of the coop. And lastly I have about an acre that I occasionally let them free range in if I'm home and can supervise.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Cant help you on the stripped feathers except to maybe pluck one and examine it under a magnifying glass...

As far as how many chickens .... I think you have pleanty of space. As long as they all get along. The 4 square feet is a rule of thumb.... not necessarily set in stone. Then there is always the option of ""adding on"" .... Little lean to for the coop..... Hee hee

Me likes chicken math....

deb

 

[Kassaundra]

I am not an oldtimer, but my thinking is IF you have adequate ventilation, and IF they have access to the larger area (talking both runs the secured mostly but also the less secure run) for most of the time and basically just spend the night in the coop that you could have less coop square footage per bird. (also important is not having any overly aggressive individuals) This is just my opinion though.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

I would say go with what you are comfortable with. 4 sq ft per bird is ideal but not required. Me, I would never go less than 3 sq feet available per bird. But then my girls seem to get along supremely well now.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Mites - the wild bird population is crawling with them, so if your flock ever comes into contact with wild birds (and most of ours do!), you'll get them on occasion. It's not a matter of not keeping a clean coop. I use Eprinex twice yearly, and (knock wood) I haven't had a problem the last few years. HOWEVER, I HAVE been reading that mites build a resistance to it, just like many parasites and treatments. So, I've been considering stopping the use of Eprinex for a couple of years. Lots of folks are now using a flea med for dogs...okay, it's probably the most common one, but I can't for the life of me remember its name right now. Problem is, it's off label use (of course, so is Eprinex, but it's been used long enough that we have shared information and know the proper dosage), so there's not a lot of information out about the dosage and timeframe to withhold eggs, how often to use, etc.

Are you talking about Front line Wynette? I would like to try something different also. If you come across any dosage let me know please. I had a family of Wrens nesting in a blue bird house very close to my coop well yesterday the babies fledged so today i climb the ladder opened the door expecting to be covered in mites, nope not a one. Did go ahead and spray the house out though.