Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: cudders on February 17, 2008, 19:24
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As per the title.
About 8 of the hens I inherited have very small combes and wattles. Some only just visible and very dull. Also a few have fatter legs than the others. I assume they are old and unlikely to lay?
Is this correct.
Cudders
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No idea cudders, tho' colour of the comb does indicate laying, usually the brighter they are the better.
Hang about there will soon be more advice to follow :D
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could be old cudders - not too sure do you have any photos? rough raised scales on the legs do indicate an older bird though. Just a thought any evidence of scaley leg mite?
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As yet I havent really got too close to them.
The hen house was a right mess. I've 'dug out' about a ton of poo so far, that's no joke! Just making a section for new stock before I fully clean it up and dust etc. Then I may reduce the flock to make way for some new ones.
I have about 25, all hybrids.
This pic is from about 6 weeks ago. I'll get some others this week.
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd261/cudders68/Chuck1.jpg)
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Their legs look really bad cudders. Bad scaly leg :cry:
They need smothering with Vaseline to kill them off. Have you treated all the accommodation for red mite too. They won't be in laying condition if their health is not tip top.
You've done so well so far Cudders, keep up the good work :!:
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Pale shrunken combs can be caused by red mite. It might be worth treating for this. Although it sounds and looks like they could do with some all round TLC. :(
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Hi auntie,
Got some red mite powder today. I guess there is no point dusting till all the poop is removed and had a good clean down?
There are only a few like this. Most are nice and clean. Should I assume the infection is still alive as it hasnt spread?
I should be on the naughty step really. I've spent a tad too much time digging rather than sorting the chuck house out first... :oops:
Bit ashamed....
Cudders
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If the other birds aren't getting infected then it is probably dead but do have a close look at their legs. There is a picture in my lice and mites information topic in the Poultry Information section.
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Don't be ashaned cudders your sorting it out, IMHO I'd dust the birds now, and put some in their dust bath, lift out their perches and dip the ends in paraffin or paint if you cant get them out, dust under the joints where the perches meet supports.
To be honest when mine got red mite last year I took the blow torch to all the nooks and crannies and painted them with parrafin.
And do the vaseline thing pronto :)
I use something called "gold label get rid organic lice powder" only place I've found it is on ebay (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GOLD-LABEL-GET-RID-ORGANIC-LICE-FLEAS-RED-MITE-KILLER_W0QQitemZ250212840393QQihZ015QQcategoryZ90863QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem) use it on the cats and guinea pigs too :wink:
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Just a reminder, the shed is big!
Its about 26ft long and 16 foot wide. The covered run is also a tad bigger than the shed.
Here's a piccy...taken about November not long after i got the lot...
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd261/cudders68/Hen3.jpg)
Cudders
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Yep I remember massive init :shock:
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Is there a recommended product to wash the shed down with?
Don't want to harm the chucks....
Cudders
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Is there a recommended product to wash the shed down with?
Don't want to harm the chucks....
Cudders
I use jeyes fluid But you have to be able to keep the hens off it until it's dry and ventilate well, you could probably get something more suitable from an agricultural merchant or even a pigeon fanciers supplier.
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You could try poultry shield cudders. No need to remove the birds.
http://www.microshieldsolutions.com/agriculture/
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I've heard a simple solution of dettol is good for get rid of red mite.
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My Gertie had scaley leg very badly. I had to take her to the Vet. He gave her an injection. (NOt sure what it was) and I covered her legs in vaseline every day. Her legs look good as new now. However one of her toes is deformed from it! :(
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Well the poultry shield has been ordered and the 6 chucks with scaley leg have been vaselined. Also getting some leg rings so i can keep a better eye on them and know who's who.
Plan this weekend is a full scrub down and dusting. Still about half a ton of poop to shift...running out of places to stack it!
Cudders
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Oh forgot to ask...
The red mite powder, do I just dust it on or do I need to fold the feathers back to apply?
Ta,
Cudders
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Cudders...where to stack the poop??? Compost heap then veg patch!
Judi
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Oh forgot to ask...
The red mite powder, do I just dust it on or do I need to fold the feathers back to apply?
Ta,
Cudders
You're doing a great job cudders.
When you've cleaned the house out sprinkle the red mite powder all about in the nooks and crannies where the red mite will be hiding during the day. They don't usually go on to the birds until night time to feed on their blood. I add some dust mite stuff to the soil that they dust bathe in too. That will help to get rid of any other little parasites.
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Oh forgot to ask...
The red mite powder, do I just dust it on or do I need to fold the feathers back to apply?
Ta,
Cudders
I tend to fold the feathers back as you put it, gets closer to the skin that way. If I'm feeling lazy I give a quick sprinkle when they have roosted for the night straight on to them, but mine are used to me going in and out the shed after dark.
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Cudders...where to stack the poop??? Compost heap then veg patch!
Judi
I've so far given away 62 x 25kg bags (old feed bags) full of poop to other lot holders and all my beds have been manured with it. Also have four big piles around the lot. The last quarter to dig out is deep! I dug out a hole last night and it's 14" deep!
Must have been a years worth at least to start with...oh my aching back.
Cudders
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Sounds like a nightmare cudders :shock: Poor bl**dy chooks. :evil: Their luck has changed now they have found you :D
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I hope so :?
They seem ok apart from the ones mentioned and they have started jumping onto my arms now which is nice. I looked like Dr Doolittle the other day :lol:
I'll take some pics to show progress soon. Goona give it my full focus till it's sorted.
Cudders
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Thanks cudders. Looking forward to your picture update :D
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Oh my goodness me, you have certainly got a project there. I have just read from the start of the thread and can only send you my best wishes and loads of positive thoughts with your tasks in hand. You are a star in my book for taking it on and giving the chickens a better life than they had before. I will certainly be reading all that you post re your project :D :D
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Hear hear Viv :!:
Three chears for cudders
Hip hip....
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Hear hear Viv :!:
Three chears for cudders
Hip hip....
Hooray (http://bestsmileys.com/clapping/4.gif)
Yes blooming well done, no wonder they are pleased to see you cudders :D
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Hip hip...
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Hurray :D
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Hip hip...
Hooray !
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Well done Cudders
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:oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:
Shucks....I'm all red now!
I never intented to have chucks but getting them free is a bonus although they were not well looked after :cry:
I was a bit wary at first, never touched a real one before but they are so friendly and I'm really attached to them now. Just sat with one for 15 mins tonight. A nice experience.
Just hope they all pep up when the big clean up is done. :)
Cudders
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A nice clean up, good food and some lovely greens, a bt of warmth and sunsine on their backs and they will be happy hens :D
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Well, its been a couple of weeks since the clean up.
The chucks are dusted, have apple cider vinegar in the water and are being wormed as we speak.
They are all, even the ones with small combes becoming nice and red :D :D
The egg production has also gone from three per day to seven so going in the right direction!
Cudders
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Sounds like you've done a great job cudders.
Looking forward to your latest pictures :D
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Have just read this post from start to finish and you need a medal Cudders. Thankfully there are still a few honest caring people around to look after their animals. Am so glad to hear your hens are repaying you with eggs. They must feel like they are in hen paradise now they have you to look after them
Well done to you
Claire
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Well done cudders! I know it has been challenging and a steep learning curve but you always had the chooks welfare first and foremost! :lol: :lol:
Babe have you any medal aninimations???? :wink:
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Yes, well done you cudders!!!!!! More happy hens!!!!!!
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This will do Foxy
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff294/Frenchconnectionphoto47/Star.gif)
A gold star for Cudders, well done you, what a lovely story :wink: :D
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Well deserved Cudders :!: :D