Utah!

[RedIII]

I know I'll get shot for this, but I've liked the cold. I just wish it would snow more. Granted, I don't live in Logan, either.

I've been seeing a lot of hawks lately. I don't really mind them, but owning chickens has given me a new perspective on predators. The other day I was in the yard and saw a Cooper's hawk perching in the neighbor's tree, which made me raise my eyebrows. However, my cockerel seems to be pretty vigilant about keeping an eye on the girls and herding them around, so I'm not too worried. I hope you don't have any problems with that one coming back for a free meal, Cynthia

Lisa, it was only 3 degrees out there? I remember that when our daughter lived out there. Gets mighty cold at times. Glad your babies are doing well..makes me happy for you. Are you seeing what they may be yet? I am pretty sure you should be able to tell by now. If you can get pictures of them..when it warms up someday there..then put them on, we'll take a look. You can post them on the other thread too. I'll bet they are getting pretty.
I went out today and treated all of my girls with DE. Had a friend over yesterday looking just for fun, and after picking up my mottled, decided to go ahead and take a look..yep, mites. With all of the darn sparrows out there, it doesn't surprise me. Although, chickens usually have them anyway, I don't "usually" see them when looking. Sometimes I see the egg sacs, then I know, so I treat, but if I am not seeing even egg sacs I leave them alone. I went ahead and put DE all around the coop and more in the nest boxes. I've had it in there, guess that wasn't enough..those sparrows go in the coop..! To eat, drink, poop!

So many of them this year.
While we were at it, I think the screams of me catching my brown leghorn caught the attention of a hawk. Scott saw it first, and it was low! My girls that were done with their treatment were in the yard, so we stayed out until it left, then I put the girls back in the run..not taking any chances after seeing how low that bird was checking out my girls. And, we are going to take our dog out on the leash for now, they would grab up a small dog like that in a heart beat if they are hungry enough. He probably weighs less than my biggest chicken! My little yorkie.
That's the excitement of the day..I hope..
Hope everyone is staying warm in this cold weather, it's supposed to start warming up into the 20's at night here. That's better than the low teens. I'll bet Logan gets waaay down there. Brrr..
Set my other lavenders' this morning. Now the wait. Those eggs got here fast! Still waiting for the other ones that the guy is replacing. He said he sent them Tues. Crossing fingers they come for sure by tomorrow!

 

[Sphinx]

We see a ton of hawks around here. I have to admit I haven't ever really taken them that seriously because my hens always seemed too big and fat for any of them to actually fly away with. Having said that, I do worry about dogs, so I don't ever let my chickens out of their run without someone being outside with them, and their run is totally enclosed. Not so enclosed that sparrows can't get in though.

 

[RedIII]

Haha it's too bad sparrows can carry mites. I like them, too (the sparrows) But if your chickens make it a regular habit to roll around in the dirt, wouldn't that be enough to get rid of any skin clingers? I have been considering picking up some DE and giving all the members of my flock a good dusting with it. We had an older turkey that we culled a couple of weeks ago, and while we were plucking her, I found mites on her skin. So, the carcass got skinned instead, and now I'm wondering what my birds could have picked up from hanging out around the turkey pen.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Mites--Yuk! I do use the DE every time I change bedding, and nests, about ev 2 weeks I guess I use about one cup in the coop...I threw a few cups out in the run in the dust, they love to dust bathe, hope we do not get the little buggers. Do you think I am using enough? We live where there are tons of sparrows, but they do not go in the run....but my chicks run around the yard here and there so hopefully I am sprinkling enough in their coop. Where is the best place to look on your chickens to see the mites? And are they black or white, or what color? I want to take a close look now, I am sitting here itching thinking about it lol I thought about patting them down with Sevin dust as a precaution, but have never gotten around to it.

Cynthia, the blackies show no signs of manliness thus far. Just all girl as far as I can see, thin enough legs, thin enough comb, no red at all, no weird feathers growing anywhere---the tails look pretty normal. (LaVerne's got chewed down a bit, but otherwise they look pretty girlish I think!) They are making no wierd sounds or attempts to crow so far. I will get some pics up next time I can get out there with good light, still using my phone, the camera seems to be eluding me pretty well. They look identical now, except the feathered feet on Laverne and the now-smaller tail. Beautiful though, really, so black, and their feathers just shimmer in the sun. They are bigger than my banties now I love them. I feel so bad you lost yours Hopefully all these new chicks and eggs will bring you some beauties!!

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Red III---Forecast here says snow for four days in a row nest week!!! Quit liking the cold lol!

 

[RedIII]

Hey, feel free to send any snow my way!

When I've found mites, they are kind of a beige color, almost a yellow. Check the main body of the bird by just going through and parting feathers so that you can see the skin, and you should find some fast enough if your flock has any. They like to zip around between the base of the feathers where it's warm, or at least, that's what I've seen. If you uncover a spot where there's a mite, you'll see them dart for cover. It's nasty, I know, but better to take precautions than to have sick birds, in my opinion.

 

[Cynthia12]

Hey, feel free to send any snow my way!

When I've found mites, they are kind of a beige color, almost a yellow. Check the main body of the bird by just going through and parting feathers so that you can see the skin, and you should find some fast enough if your flock has any. They like to zip around between the base of the feathers where it's warm, or at least, that's what I've seen. If you uncover a spot where there's a mite, you'll see them dart for cover. It's nasty, I know, but better to take precautions than to have sick birds, in my opinion.

Yes, looking into the skin, and get this, right by their vent is the best place in the back area, and right under their wings is another good place.
Lisa..don't use seven! The DE works just great. No side effects with it as far as I've seen so far with using it.
Ok, cold? Did you all see what is happening in the midwest and NE? And my eggs are coming from that area..but..they were mailed on Tues..so..

 

[brlarson84]

Hey guys I have some Old English game Bantams that I have to sell by tomorrow night.
BB reds
1 BB Red Rooster
1 BB Red Hen
Silver Duckwing
2 silver duckwing roosters
1 silver duckwing Hen
I think my neighbors and wife might kill me if the roosters are not gone soon. The silver duckwing Roosters are very good looking and I was told that their Father won several awards. Here are a few very bad pictures but it is enough to get an idea.





[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I would be willing to sell all five of them for $30. Please PM me if you are interested. Thanks![/FONT]

 

[RedIII]

Cynthia, if your eggs were mailed Tuesday, I would guess that there's a good chance they have dodged the brunt of any nasty weather in that area. Here's hoping it's a for sure thing!

And I did wonder if the wings were also a good area to look for mites, as that was where I originally noticed them on the turkey. I'm learning as I go, so this is good to know!

And........I did not notice what is going on back east. I don't watch TV......or much of anything else..... *blush*

 

[RedIII]

I keep forgetting to say, but Sphinx, I don't think I would have things ready this week to take those chicks off your hands. I need some more time, but if you have a solid buyer for them before I can purchase any, don't feel obligated to hold on to them. I will hit you up when I've got some things worked out!