The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[taylynnp]

If you remember I lost two chickens and had another looking unwell, shaking/twitching her head. I suspect it's mites although I still haven't seen any evidence on them.
Yesterday I dusted them all with wood ash/DE and sprayed neem oil on all the wood in their coop. I also put some DE in the litter.

Unfortunately more are shaking their heads and looking pale today.

I know I have to repeat treatment at least every 7 days. But should I step up treatment in some way since it seems like more are showing being affected?

How do you tell and treat if it's ear mites?

 

[Leahs Mom]

We will be processing our first chickens this weekend. Anyone have a synopsis on process and recipe for brining?
Thanks!

This is my favorite tutorial on butchering a chicken.

 

[aoxa]

It's been a while since I shared a mass of pictures.. so here you guys are.. From this weekend:

 

[Leahs Mom]

Mumsy -
Thank you for the photos. I really like the way all of your buildings and pop doors look.

My little hen house is so small I'm not sure the best way to approach this. I had planned on having a second coop by the end of May and I've been keeping my eye out for what I'm looking for but haven't found just the right thing yet. Almost, but not quite.

I was planning on having the current coop used for the kiddos and mammas.

Well...still looking and now trying to decide whether to cut another door on this one.

 

[Leahs Mom]

If you remember I lost two chickens and had another looking unwell, shaking/twitching her head. I suspect it's mites although I still haven't seen any evidence on them.
Yesterday I dusted them all with wood ash/DE and sprayed neem oil on all the wood in their coop. I also put some DE in the litter.

Unfortunately more are shaking their heads and looking pale today.

I know I have to repeat treatment at least every 7 days. But should I step up treatment in some way since it seems like more are showing being affected?

How do you tell and treat if it's ear mites?

I don't have experience with this one so I'm hoping someone who does chimes in.

 

[armorfirelady]

Aoxa-

the pics.......those polish look like they have tuxes & top hats on

 

[aoxa]

Aoxa-

the pics.......those polish look like they have tuxes & top hats on

They are actually Houdans Better egg layers and bigger birds. Five toes, pink legs. Endangered.

I love them!

 

[hotrodflash]

How do you tell and treat if it's ear mites?

Ear mites leave a nasty, stinky gunk in the ear canal. Treatment as follows:
1. clean ears as best you can using tweezers, cotton swabs, etc... just don't go to deep
2. pour peroxide in the ear, I used a syringe like a dropper
3. clean again
4. squeeze neosporin, antibiotic ointment, into the ear canal
5. do this daily, only takes a few treatments to clear the mites

The ointment smothers the mites, you could also use coconut oil in the ear.

 

[armorfirelady]

Quote: Oops sorry.....my chicken breed knowledge is still poor. But regardless they are still cute

 

[aoxa]

Oops sorry.....my chicken breed knowledge is still poor. But regardless they are still cute

It's okay, I get that a lot!