[Henlady]

I got my hens last Saturday and at the moment I have sawdust (the dust extrated sort) in the house and straw in the nest boxes, I plan to use hemcore but couldn't get any on Saturday. 

I bought some Red Mite Powder but on reading the instructions it is for dusting the birds not applying to the house or can I use it for both?  I also have VermX to worm them and some Gentian Violet spray just in case.  I also have oyster grit.  Do I need to get anything else, I would rather get things in advance as I have to order most things off the internet.

How often do I need to completely clean the house, I only have four ladies and have been surprised by how little poo there has been this week, and they have been eating well.

Their run is gravel and I plan to give that a good rinse tomorrow  morning, the uncovered part got well washed with the rain last night but under the house needs a rinse down.  Should I put some disinfectant on it as well?

I will probably have lots more basic questions in the next few weeks,

[ehs284]

Can't answer all your questions because, as always it is, 'it depends'.
You can use the mite powder on the building, but it could be expensive depending on size and construction. We tend to use the spray in the coop and the powder on the birds with a disinfectant/bleach clean of the coop every few weeks. We use wood shavings in the nestbox but nothing elsewhere as it is vinyl tiled and they rush out in the morning and go back last daylight. Tip; when powdering, keep them boxed in and when one is done put it somewhere else otherwise you'll be wondering why you've powdered 12 chooks when you only have 4.
It's useful to have a first aid kit See stickies for more info. but basically as for a child - germoline, savlon, scissors, asprin, syringe and wound powder.
No advantage in using disinfectant unless on concrete and even then it's probably of little help. HTH, but browse the Aunt Sally stickies there is a lot of useful info there.

[Flowerpower136]

It's really quite difficult to set a rigid routine because it depends on your setup.  I started with a list of daily, weekly, etc chores, but now not sure its the right approach.  Have learnt that it's very important to be vigilent, apply common sense, and follow your instincts.

I started off as you with woodshaving in coop and straw in nest boxes.  Nothing wrong with that at all, apart from you'll find Hemcore much better!

I clean out nest boxes as necessary.  My girls still sleep in boxesr, so does get nasty fairly quickly.  Probably change material say every 5 days, but basically you do it when it needs doing.  When I re do nest boxes I use Stalison F to dry disnfect the base, then put Hemcore in and dust it with Lice Powder.  I poo pick religiously at least once a day.

Coop seems to last a bit longer, depending on how good you are at poo picking.  And Hemcore being more absorbent and easier to poo pick, does mean that things stay cleaner longer.

Coop can last a couple of weeks.  Again follow your instincts, when it needs changing you'll know.  Nothing nicer than fluffed up fresh bedding, and when it stops being 'nice', then change it!  I tip it all out, spot clean with Jeyes, dust any damp patches with Stalison F, new bedding in and dust with Diatom powder.

In summer, would spray empty coup with Poultry Shield.  But can't do in Winter cos it would never dry out.

I keep run floor fresh by poo picking daily, using chipped bark on any muddy bits, and digging the whole thing over from time to time, just to loosen compaction, and freshen everything up.  Girls love it - worm time!

I've used Flubenvet for worming.  Featherite, or similar, is handy to have to deter any pecking. Purple spray, as you say, very handy.  I've got wound power, but only used it once. Also use garlic powder in their water to reduce smell of poo, and is generally a good tonic.  Poultry sprice also a good tonic, especially if moulting.  Jar of vaseline for protecting combs etc from frost.

Because of problems with shells (all mine are ex-batts), now regularly using limestone flour added to food.

Think that's the basics?

[compostqueen]

Mine too have had egg laying problems during this bad weather so mine too are on the limestone flour with the food routine. You can get it from equine shops as well as the pet shop or poultry place