The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[MargaretYakoda]

Could possibly work...

I was just thinking that maybe if they had enough dirt in there they could do a dust bath and that would dry it up and help it to kind-of come off by itself.

I've got the same issue with my one week old JGs and their barnyard mix broodmates. I'm thinking I'll try an old soft toothbrush on them. Because I don't want to chill them with a bath and make them hate me, and I'm too cheap to buy baby wipes.

 

[Scott H]

Any help with my mite situation? I got a Frontline suggestion....I treat the hens with Ivermactin but the lttle chicks?

 

[flyladyrocks]

I thought barns were supposed to smell like barns. I was surprised last time I went to the fair and heard people going to the barns to see the animals but complaining that the barns smelled like animals.

I wish there was someone near me that could come to my place and tell me exactly what I needed to do to get set up for a pair of female goats. I have heard that I could rent a male when he was needed. I have also heard that the males smell worse than the females.

I am so crazy excited for the Fairs this year now that I have chickens. I mean, totally giddy with excitement! We spend most of our time in the animal barns anyway. It took years for my kids to even realize there were rides. We also are doing 4-H next year so it will be more meaningful for the kids to see all the things other kids are doing. I don't live far from you. Smack dab in the middle of Indy in Historic Irvington. The Marion and Hancock county fairs are less than a month away. I can't wait!!!

 

[aoxa]

Justine, the kid is adorable. You are getting quite the menagerie!

I really am!

 

[flyladyrocks]

Any help with my mite situation? I got a Frontline suggestion....I treat the hens with Ivermactin but the lttle chicks?

I would personally be very hesitant to apply Frontline to chicks - you have no idea how much to use, it is not dosed for them. It would be be way to easy to overdose.And my chicks are all over each other, so it would be on their feathers and the would get it on each other and in their mouth when they preen. What about giving them diatemaceous earth to dust bath in?

 

[Scott H]

OK, thought I might get some help here... I'll start a new thread.....

 

[aoxa]

Any help with my mite situation? I got a Frontline suggestion....I treat the hens with Ivermactin but the lttle chicks?

We don't suggest anything chemical. Wood ash is a natural way to rid them of mites, but it is everywhere in the coop.. I think it's neem oil you coat the roosts with, but someone help me out if I'm wrong?

If you want to medicate them - I'd suggest asking on the general medical forum on here.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@aoxa and @Scott H

Aoxa - have you ever used wood ash on babies? I'm thinking you would have to take a littleA bit and rub it into their bodies yourself rather than giving in a dust bath? That could possibly work well without having it all over kingdom come.

And...I've heard that a little drop of garlic oil can have the same effect....I'm going to go take a quick look at one of my references and see if there is something mild enough for chicks and strong enough to take out the mites.... Back later I think.

 

[aoxa]

@aoxa and @Scott H

Aoxa - have you ever used wood ash on babies? I'm thinking you would have to take a littleA bit and rub it into their bodies yourself rather than giving in a dust bath? That could possibly work well without having it all over kingdom come.

And...I've heard that a little drop of garlic oil can have the same effect....I'm going to go take a quick look at one of my references and see if there is something mild enough for chicks and strong enough to take out the mites.... Back later I think.

Babies almost always bathe with mom, but you can apply just as you would mom I'd think.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I've never had mites on the babies before but I think I'd carefully rub ash down under the down and feathers as carefully as possible so as not to get too much into their respiratory system. It only takes a little on a tiny one.

Now yours are with a broody and if you give her a dust bath area she'll have them right in there so they may be able to take care of it themselves. Just put a small amount of the ash into the dirt and see if mom will do the job.

I think that would be my first thing to try before doing anything stronger but watch closely. You don't want mites on the littles for long.



***************

On the spray, This is a recipe for ADULT CHICKENS.

10 ounces of water
1 ounce of garlic juice
1 teaspoon (total) any combination of these essential oils - bay, cinnamon, clove, coriander, lavender, spearmint, tea tree and/or thyme

Mix in a spray bottle and spray hens bi-weekly as a preventative or every other day for two to three weeks in the case of an infestation. Concentrate around the vent and under the wings.



BUT FOR THE BABIES I WOULD DILUTE IT WITH MORE WATER. Essential oils are very strong.

I ALSO WOULD NOT SPRAY ON THE BABIES. I'd take a little drop of it and put it on them - perhaps near the tail area so it's not right close to their eyes.