ZazasMom
Songster
Hi chicken lovers,
We sadly found ourselves left with only a single hen from our initial flock of 5 She’s a 9-months old Barred Rock named Zaza, and we lost her girlfriends to a predator - I’d be interested in your opinion on who did it. It must have happened during the afternoon. They were free ranging and we live right near the woods. We have the usual predators here in northern RI, but I naively thought that they’d be safe(-ish) as long as they’re back in the coop by dusk. I don’t think Zaza was near the other girls when the attack happened, as she is completely unharmed. Later that night I found one of the Barred Rocks dead, feathers missing around the neck, and neatly covered with leaves. Next to it a bunch of Buff Orpington feathers and a little blood, but no body. No sign of the other two.
My more important questions are about our next actions though. We just discovered mites on Zaza and in her outside feeder. I ordered Elector PSP after watching a few videos from the Chicken Chick. Until it arrives I’m wondering if we should wash her butt every night with baby shampoo for relief? How much does it bother her? She also has poopy butt feathers. She seems okay, still laying every day, but her comb is a bit pale, and her legs are a bit scaly too. Do I put the Elector PSP on her legs too? How do I treat the outside run? I’ve been putting the dirty pine shavings from the coop into the run, and we added some straw for entertainment on snowy days. I probably want to take all that out completely? The coop will be emptied and sprayed, too. Can we wait a few days to treat the coop/run, as long as she is treated? I do have DE at hand but heard bad things about it and wasn’t planning on using it (?)
Once she is treated from the mites, we think the best plan is to give her to our friends with a flock of 20 hens and 2 roosters. Our friends have experience, but we haven’t discussed details yet. I trust that they know what they’re doing.... How soon after the Elector PSP treatment could we move her over? Should she still quarantine? Can she be alone for another 1-2 weeks or should we hurry it up some more? Unfortunately we’re all working during the day and have no one to keep her company. I’m worried that she will deteriorate from being alone and sad Also, night temps will be in the teens soon, and I’m not sure if she will produce enough body heat on her own? The coop is 4’x4’.
Sorry this question is so long. I appreciate any input you can give!! Thank you so much in advance!
We sadly found ourselves left with only a single hen from our initial flock of 5 She’s a 9-months old Barred Rock named Zaza, and we lost her girlfriends to a predator - I’d be interested in your opinion on who did it. It must have happened during the afternoon. They were free ranging and we live right near the woods. We have the usual predators here in northern RI, but I naively thought that they’d be safe(-ish) as long as they’re back in the coop by dusk. I don’t think Zaza was near the other girls when the attack happened, as she is completely unharmed. Later that night I found one of the Barred Rocks dead, feathers missing around the neck, and neatly covered with leaves. Next to it a bunch of Buff Orpington feathers and a little blood, but no body. No sign of the other two.
My more important questions are about our next actions though. We just discovered mites on Zaza and in her outside feeder. I ordered Elector PSP after watching a few videos from the Chicken Chick. Until it arrives I’m wondering if we should wash her butt every night with baby shampoo for relief? How much does it bother her? She also has poopy butt feathers. She seems okay, still laying every day, but her comb is a bit pale, and her legs are a bit scaly too. Do I put the Elector PSP on her legs too? How do I treat the outside run? I’ve been putting the dirty pine shavings from the coop into the run, and we added some straw for entertainment on snowy days. I probably want to take all that out completely? The coop will be emptied and sprayed, too. Can we wait a few days to treat the coop/run, as long as she is treated? I do have DE at hand but heard bad things about it and wasn’t planning on using it (?)
Once she is treated from the mites, we think the best plan is to give her to our friends with a flock of 20 hens and 2 roosters. Our friends have experience, but we haven’t discussed details yet. I trust that they know what they’re doing.... How soon after the Elector PSP treatment could we move her over? Should she still quarantine? Can she be alone for another 1-2 weeks or should we hurry it up some more? Unfortunately we’re all working during the day and have no one to keep her company. I’m worried that she will deteriorate from being alone and sad Also, night temps will be in the teens soon, and I’m not sure if she will produce enough body heat on her own? The coop is 4’x4’.
Sorry this question is so long. I appreciate any input you can give!! Thank you so much in advance!
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