Heather, thank you for all the interesting links. I'm a big fan of Oregano Oil, but only use it sparingly due to the cost. I'm surprised the article did not mention that oregano has actually been tested and proven to kill bacteria. It was tested after 911 and the anthrax scare. Oregano kills staph, anthrax and other bacteria. I never thought to use it with my chickens. Going to add some to my chicken first aid kit.
I'd never even heard of it before this article. Where do you find it? I also thought what made more sense to me was the thorough cleaning after removing a group and allowing it to stay empty for 2wks.
What do you all use for dust baths? I have some DE but I think you have to mix it, right? Fireplace ash? I'm a bit lost here. I am wondering if it isn't better to just hit them with some of that Severin pyrethrum (sp?) dust individually. I am especially worried about my cross beak getting lice since she can't really groom herself. Are lice active in winter?
It is snowing & sleeting here, Bleh, and I'm guessing it will be months before there is any natural dust available for them. I also saw the hawk again on Christmas Day, boo, so no free ranging anyway although Duchie is becoming a better shepherd all the time. She and Ruthie still like to squabble over who's in charge. I am not sure they even consider me![/quote]
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I use the P-73 gelcaps which I get from
my local health food store. My friend likes the oil with the dropper so she can use it externally.
For dust baths we use Sweet PDZ, the same stuff we use on our poop boards. It is non toxic and can be ingested w/out any harm. It comes in powder form or granules (like sand) and I get it from
Tractor Supply and Agway. I think that we use the 40lb size bag. We keep a bag of this near the kitty litter box and mix it with the litter. Really helps neutralize odors.
I don't know if lice and mites are active in this cold weather, but I just bought a bar if Grandpa's brand Pine Tar Soap for this purpose. I read that if you shave some flakes into a bottle of water, let it dissolve and spray around the coop, it will keep the bugs away. The soap stinks to high heavens, so it may indeed work.
