The Old Folks Home

[ronott1]

I have such a small flock, I am not too worried. I just don't think that stuff...runs...off? They..may, get some on the ground when they do the dirt bath, but this is really a very small spritz here and there.

The problem is over application and runoff. If you are careful it should be ok. A lot of home owners use way too much--they do not follow the instructions.

It is only supposed to be used every two weeks too.

 

[chirpingcricket]

As others have said, stay away from the permethrins/pyrethrins and the Sevin. It will more than likely harm your bees. I have used both in the past to treat for mites and now that I have a hive on my property, even though it's far from the chickens, and they don't appear to mingle, I don't want to take any chances.

I have a covered turtle sandbox with sand, DE and ashes from the wood and pellet stoves in it. It's for prevention. They love to dust in it.

Unfortunately my neighbor picked up laying birds from somewhere this summer. I told her to worm and treat them for mites/lice and even gave her the treatments, but she was too lazy to do it. Those birds come over and eat out of my rooster tractor feeder, and they gave my roosters a bad case of mites that I discovered 2 days ago. Luckily so far it seems like my main flock is mite-free. I'm going to have to calm down and then go yell at the neighbor this weekend. Her birds still come over and eat my food and I've got a bunch of birds that fly over the fence every day and will more than likely contract mites from hers. We're just going to process the tractor birds this weekend and not treat them. That means that giant roo of mine isn't going to stay to be part of my meat bird project. Unfortunately because he's so fat he also has a keel blister and some bumblefoot. Just not healthy stock.

Anyway, I use pour on ivermectin for lice/mites and I've found it works pretty well but I've also in the past used it along with a dusting regimen. I also use albendazole (Valbazen) orally for worms, I don't rely on the ivermectin topically for worms. I'm just not convinced that it has good enough absorption through the skin to reach the bloodstream in sufficient quantities to affect worms in the gut. As Wisher said, it's pretty simple to worm orally with albendazole, especially if you have help, and it's effective.

What are you guys using to treat mites on your bees this fall? This is my first year with bees. I was impressed with the effectiveness of formic acid, but seeing the side effects in the hive gave me pause. I ended up going with the slightly less effective but less toxic thymol.

SCG...I have a neighbor like that!
After 2 years of begging, pleading, assisting her to "round up" her birds...well, let's just say there were Spring fireworks at the fence. DH and I had it with feeding, medicating, watering, burying her dead birds, etc. She would constantly buy the young chicks because they were "so cute"...
No problems since!
Hated to have it go head to head, but lazy and irresponsible has no place of sympathy in my way of thinking anymore. Good luck.

 

[Cynthia12]

SCG...I have a neighbor like that!

After 2 years of begging, pleading, assisting her to "round up" her birds...well, let's just say there were Spring fireworks at the fence. DH and I had it with feeding, medicating, watering, burying her dead birds, etc. She would constantly buy the young chicks because they were "so cute"...
No problems since!
Hated to have it go head to head, but lazy and irresponsible has no place of sympathy in my way of thinking anymore. Good luck.

For some reason chirp, I just can't picture spring fireworks at the fence from you two. I guess the bestest is brought out in us at times.

 

[Cynthia12]

The problem is over application and runoff. If you are careful it should be ok. A lot of home owners use way too much--they do not follow the instructions.

It is only supposed to be used every two weeks too.

Oh, that's good to know..he he, I only use it once a year. Unless....I see a bird digging, and ya do know the difference between digging and preening.
Thanks ron!

 

[Cynthia12]

I think I have a frizzle, or a Sizzle..or whatever they are called Pretty cute.

 

[insanity]

We got both groups of unwanteds are here and they are settling in.3 fine beautiful RIR from the older man I am very happy with them.1 even looks maybe show quality. The other 7 ,well their coop was something off Animal Cops in my opinion.20 birds in 4x4 shed, no windows and no run. I should have walked away but I couldn't leave them. I took the 2 strongest and the 5 weakest. Today we do bathes, mite treatments, band removal (at least 1 is grown into the leg) and general first aid (lots of feather picking) Does any one here sell those back aprons for hens or can tell me how to make them?
You guys were right this isn't going to be easy but leaving them in that shed wasn't an option.

On the up side my boy is thrilled to have his own flock of 5 RIR,1 leghorn,1 barred rock,1 EE, and 2 buff orpingtons (I think). Any tips on mental rehab would be great too, they are terrified of people.

 

[insanity]

I just checked my trap and finally I got that stinken skunk.

 

[Pozees]

insanity - go quietly, slowly, and deliberately, and be the treat bringer. Be patient. You will see the light come on. They may be experiencing a lot of stress right now, possibly to the point of shock. Keep them calm as much as possible, and give them a shaded or darkened place to rest and watch their new world go by for a while. Their eyes may have a lot of adjusting to do if they haven't been in the sun.

Thanks for doing this. Fingers crossed all goes well.

 

[insanity]

I will, the 3 from the old man should be good examples for the 7 others too. He didn't pamper them but he wasn't cruel or neglectful.They act indifferent to humans.Hopefully they will show the others how to act.

 

[chickadoodles]

We got both groups of unwanteds are here and they are settling in.3 fine beautiful RIR from the older man I am very happy with them.1 even looks maybe show quality. The other 7 ,well their coop was something off Animal Cops in my opinion.20 birds in 4x4 shed, no windows and no run. I should have walked away but I couldn't leave them. I took the 2 strongest and the 5 weakest. Today we do bathes, mite treatments, band removal (at least 1 is grown into the leg) and general first aid (lots of feather picking) Does any one here sell those back aprons for hens or can tell me how to make them?
You guys were right this isn't going to be easy but leaving them in that shed wasn't an option.

On the up side my boy is thrilled to have his own flock of 5 RIR,1 leghorn,1 barred rock,1 EE, and 2 buff orpingtons (I think). Any tips on mental rehab would be great too, they are terrified of people.

Insanity there is a special place for people like you!