Wood ash for coop floor

[Michael Apple]

Sounds great Michael, I have a covered run also then a door I open where they can go out in another run. I've been thinking about adding some sand to the covered run area too for better drainage although it drains fairly well. I use to use pine shavings but brought scally leg mites in on them once ( bought from a farm feed store) and had read all the great things about sand and decided to go that route. My coop is off the ground also, I put vinyl down then the pre washed medium grade construction sand. I'm sure you don't have any mites with your treatment plan wich I plan to do this spring when I clean all the old sand out and put in fresh. Thanks for taking the time to give us all such great advice!

You're welcome. I've found scaly leg mites are pretty resilient little pests over the years. Older birds are more susceptible than younger birds, which is one of many reasons I don't like mixing the ages of flocks. Treating the roosts more often and treating legs with early signs keeps them under control. I use Ravap EC or Permectrin II on roosts with a spray bottle since both penetrate wood and have a residual of 28-30 days. For legs I use Nu-Stock or Sulphur Salve and apply it by massaging it into the legs and toes, while wearing nitrile gloves, in the early evening while they roost so it has all night to penetrate beneath scales. Some people prefer to use Vick's Vapor Rub. I have yet to try that.