Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[AnneInTheBurbs]

I found that tea tree oil killed off mites. We had an infestation of mites and did the Sevin and Ivermectin Pour-On for Cattle on the girls. I used the Sevin in the coop and sprayed the coop with tea tree oil in all the cracks. The mites were crawling on us and we sprayed the tea tree oil on us and the mites died right away.  Good luck!

Tea Tree Oil is some of my favorite stuff! It is Anti-fungal, Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Viral and can be diluted with a carrier oil and still be just as effective. We have used it on pimples, scratches, pink eye (look up usage directions) and many other things. Can't say enough about it. Puritan's Pride usually has the best price on it. I have heard and experienced how Peppermint Oil is an effective Ant repellant. I wonder if that would help with mites....

 

[SilkieSensation]

I found that tea tree oil killed off mites. We had an infestation of mites and did the Sevin and Ivermectin Pour-On for Cattle on the girls. I used the Sevin in the coop and sprayed the coop with tea tree oil in all the cracks. The mites were crawling on us and we sprayed the tea tree oil on us and the mites died right away.  Good luck!

Tea Tree Oil is some of my favorite stuff! It is Anti-fungal, Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Viral and can be diluted with a carrier oil and still be just as effective. We have used it on pimples, scratches, pink eye (look up usage directions) and many other things. Can't say enough about it. Puritan's Pride usually has the best price on it. I have heard and experienced how Peppermint Oil is an effective Ant repellant. I wonder if that would help with mites....

I make specialty soaps & some have tea tree oil in them. Very medicinal smell to those ones.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

I make specialty soaps & some have tea tree oil in them. Very medicinal smell to those ones.

It does have a unique aroma, but I like it. People say it reminds them of Vicks. Maybe a little.

 

[dheltzel]

LC:

I have more than one compost pile....I do every other bedding change....and I do not use a lot...I have not finished the first package that I bought a year ago at Pickering....I am researching moving totally to Ivermectin(sp)...as it does everything in one dose.....and though I know its probably not preferred, I think sevrin (sp) is a standard vegetable garden pesticide....(haven't used it myself in the garden).....

You are correct, Sevin (the common trade name) has been used for more than 50 years for pest control in home gardens. While it does not get the Rodale Press seal of approval as organic, it has stood as one of the safest (yet still effective) pesticides. I can name a bunch of other former home garden chemicals that are now banned or require a licensed operator to apply, but Sevin is still considered safe enough for us "common folk" to use without killing ourselves or the neighbors.

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

I just want a opinion from you seasoned chick raisers. During my reading all the books said the chicks should be 90* the first week, 85* the next, 80* the next and so on. I just had the heat lamp available and they came and went from underneath it as they saw comfortable. Now that they are in the dog crate on the floor, I still have the heat lamp and they seem comfortable, sometimes sitting under it and sometimes exploring. Am I the only one who threw this rule out after a couple days and just used common sense?

Also, nipple waterers: if I haven't started yet when they are almost a month old, is it too late? I like the idea the more I see about it.

 

[LittleMissPurdy]

I just want a opinion from you seasoned chick raisers.

During my reading all the books said the chicks should be 90* the first week, 85* the next, 80* the next and so on. I just had the heat lamp available and they came and went from underneath it as they saw comfortable. Now that they are in the dog crate on the floor, I still have the heat lamp and they seem comfortable, sometimes sitting under it and sometimes exploring. Am I the only one who threw this rule out after a couple days and just used common sense?

Also, nipple waterers: if I haven't started yet when they are almost a month old, is it too late? I like the idea the more I see about it.

I have read that chickens do learn when they are older too...we are still planing on making a nipple water for ours...they are not chicks anymore..hahaha, hope that helps a bit

 

[OneMountainAcres]

I just want a opinion from you seasoned chick raisers. During my reading all the books said the chicks should be 90* the first week, 85* the next, 80* the next and so on. I just had the heat lamp available and they came and went from underneath it as they saw comfortable. Now that they are in the dog crate on the floor, I still have the heat lamp and they seem comfortable, sometimes sitting under it and sometimes exploring. Am I the only one who threw this rule out after a couple days and just used common sense?

Also, nipple waterers: if I haven't started yet when they are almost a month old, is it too late? I like the idea the more I see about it.

last time around, I left them come and go in the heat lamp when they wanted and it seemed to work out great for us. I also used a nipple waterer last time too. They figured it out on their own at a couple days old and every time we had a new addition to the group they learned really quick from everyone else using them. Very smart little buggers

 

[GR Chicks]

Well, we broke down and drove to punxy because they had EEs. Got 4 EEs and left the kids each pick their own Bantam chick. Life just doesn't feel right without chicks in it. Pictures when There's a good signal.

So happy for you! Enjoy!

 

[BevyCrockr]

If she isn't being bothered by other hens you could leave her where she is at, but plan to have a secure cubby area fenced from the rest of the flock for the first few days after she hatches so the chicks get used to her vocalizations and learn to listen to her. Once you have raised a clutch or two you should have a good idea if any of the others in the flock cause problems and maybe the separation by fencing won't be needed, but for first time I would do it for peace of mind.
Watch her general body condition and give her high protein type snacks to keep her boosted since she is not out foraging or eating as much as normal. we do scrambled eggs, sunflower seeds and peanuts, tuna or other cooked fish, oatmeal with raisins or chopped canned peaches or pears in it, boiled liver chopped fine (I have an electric chopper that does wonders for making this stuff easier!), cat food, canned corn (rinse it first), fine chopped or shredded lettuce or cabbage and I usually switch my broodies over to chick starter also while they are setting.

This would be my first choice also! However.... if you aren't allowed to have roosters, and don't know anyone who could either butcher them for you or rehome them for you then TSC day olds are an option, though I would wait till she has been on fake eggs for about 10 days or more before doing them. For a first time broody 6 may be too many also (the minimum TSC will sell)

Ideally, go with 6 or 8 eggs and let her enjoy the whole process, if you aren't sure about roosters try to start making arrangements for them now, because you won't have to worry about them for 3 or 4 months yet, so you have plenty of time to plan.

Thank You SO much for all of the great information! Glad I have all of you for my Chickie Lady questions!!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

The first little chicky has 2 more friends in there now! All 3 are yellow.

On a related note, anyone close to Pottstown or Norristown interested in some "straight run", mixed breed layers. I will raise them and free-range them if no one wants them, I just figured I'd offer on here. I will have between 3 and 7 hatching today. I also have some older ones if you'd rather they be a week or 2 old.

I'll make someone a sweet deal if they pick them up!