Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[HiEverybirdy]

it's not on the top of the list of my favourite virus I must admit.
I think I've been fortunate in not being in much pain with what I've got/
I have had an almost constant headache for a couple of weeks. The virus got to something in my inner ear and my balance went off for a bit.

Is this a thing? I've had slight dizziness with a headache for 2-3 weeks now.

DH had COVID a month ago, but his symptoms appeared on a business trip. He stayed away until he recovered, and I managed not to get it...or so I thought. Between the headache, dizziness, and remarkable fatigue, I'm wondering if I had a version sans conspicuous symptoms.

 

[tranquiliti]

Is this a thing? I've had slight dizziness with a headache for 2-3 weeks now.

DH had COVID a month ago, but his symptoms appeared on a business trip. He stayed away until he recovered, and I managed not to get it...or so I thought. Between the headache, dizziness, and remarkable fatigue, I'm wondering if I had a version sans conspicuous symptoms.

The most recent time(s) I had Covid, the first symptom was a terrible headache. It turns out to have been sinus pressure, eased in my circumstance with 24-hour pseudoephedrine (240mg). However! Something this strong should really only be used when lower doses have not had much effect.

Edit: SARS-CoV2 Tax

(This seems like so long ago! “Foster mom” Fortuna is now trying to wean the keets she brooded, but the little pied one to the right is a pullet who isn’t ready yet… tomorrow will be 8 weeks.)

 

[Perris]

it's they can't/wont lays eggs on it

That's not true, they can and do. They appear as tiny white spots on the smooth black plastic of my coops, and they are sufficiently well glued on that a simple wipe doesn't get them off; I have to use either the jet wash or a plastic scourer (the sort for getting detritus off pots and pans; works well on all surfaces without leaving scratches I've found) with vinegar-spiked water.

I have completely disassembled two of the coops this summer to tackle them, but I haven't done all four simultaneously to avoid disturbing broodies or layers, and since they are all close together and the flock change their sleeping arrangements all the time (and I think the info in BDutch's Dutch site link was correct, that they can and do travel on the birds themselves as well, even though they don't live on them as such), they are reinfected sooner or later.

The advantage with the Nestera coops is that they can be fully disassembled into single flat sheets, so all joins and corners can be opened up and exposed if a thorough job is needed. And even for a quicky holding operation, the sheets are easy to clean of visible mite eggs, and with water rather than nasty or expensive chemicals, essentially.

As it happens I have a photo in which you can see the mite eggs:

They are the little white dots scattered all over on the black plastic.

 

[Shadrach]

That's not true, they can and do. They appear as tiny white spots on the smooth black plastic of my coops, and they are sufficiently well glued on that a simple wipe doesn't get them off; I have to use either the jet wash or a plastic scourer (the sort for getting detritus off pots and pans; works well on all surfaces without leaving scratches I've found) with vinegar-spiked water.

I have completely disassembled two of the coops this summer to tackle them, but I haven't done all four simultaneously to avoid disturbing broodies or layers, and since they are all close together and the flock change their sleeping arrangements all the time (and I think the info in BDutch's Dutch site link was correct, that they can and do travel on the birds themselves as well, even though they don't live on them as such), they are reinfected sooner or later.

The advantage with the Nestera coops is that they can be fully disassembled into single flat sheets, so all joins and corners can be opened up and exposed if a thorough job is needed. And even for a quicky holding operation, the sheets are easy to clean of visible mite eggs, and with water rather than nasty or expensive chemicals, essentially.

As it happens I have a photo in which you can see the mite eggs:
View attachment 3922629
They are the little white dots scattered all over on the black plastic.

I did wonder. I scrub the coop with a stiff brush soaked in permethrin. The coop I have doesn't come to pieces.

 

[Perris]

I did wonder. I scrub the coop with a stiff brush soaked in permethrin. The coop I have doesn't come to pieces.

does the liquid penetrate the joins, and any other nooks and crannies (quite a few of which you introduced yourself to improve the design)? I seem to remember there was daylight visible through a bit of a gap between one end piece and roof when you got it.

 

[Shadrach]

does the liquid penetrate the joins, and any other nooks and crannies (quite a few of which you introduced yourself to improve the design)? I seem to remember there was daylight visible through a bit of a gap between one end piece and roof when you got it.

The liquid does get into the joints if sprayed.
I'm about to try a mini blow torch on the plastic. I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[Perris]

The liquid does get into the joints if sprayed.
I'm about to try a mini blow torch on the plastic. I'll let you know how I get on.

well that should seal the joints!!!

 

[Perris]

unless you overdo it, and end up with a plastic puddle of course

 

[Shadrach]

unless you overdo it, and end up with a plastic puddle of course

Well I used to use nothing but a blow torch on the wooden coops. As long as I keep the flame moving it should be okay. The flame only needs to touch the mites and eggs and they're dead.
Solway say their plastic melts at 220C. Wood chars between roughly 200C and 250C depending on the wood type. I managed not to set any coops on fire in the past.
Got to be worth a try. Really don't like having to use chemicals.

 

[L-plate chicken mum]

The liquid does get into the joints if sprayed.
I'm about to try a mini blow torch on the plastic. I'll let you know how I get on.

When I read this I thought ‘careful now’ which brought to mind Father Ted & the St Tibulus episode. Not sure if it still happens but for many years posters with ‘careful now’ & ‘down with this sort of thing’ were a feature of demonstrations in Ireland.
https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/...-ever-stop-talking-about-father-ted-1.3357384