[sheridan]

Hi all! I have just gotten 3 hybrids. They have a lovely big run and are out in my 250ft garden all afternoon. I've bedded them on shavings, laid the run with bark chips and pebbles on a dirt base, and give them layer pellets in the morning, and scraps for tea, after they've free ranged my garden all afternoon. They have a bowl of oyster shell, water with ACv and are as tame as, after 3 weeks. They want to get into the lounge! They were 3mo when I got them, I got my first egg this morning! Rock hard shell too! They are so friendly they mob the kids for scraps and are more or less strokable already. Lucky chooks.

My question is really a simple one. The coop is new, I clean it weekly. Do I need to spray for pests now to prevent? if people would give me a Winter programme for a clean i would be really grateful. Hygiene is key as my kids are 2 and 3. We wipe and wash after handling, and i pick up all poo from the garden daily. I am really keen to go through Winter with good practice so I'm good for Sprin when the mites kick in!

Thanks!

[joyfull]

keep cleaning weekly, however when it gets to mid winter you may not be able to wash out the coop so perhaps you could use a powder disinfectant such as stalisan F. Also make a paste od diatom, squirt of washup liquid and water or diluted disinfectant or poultry shield. Past this around the perch ends and in all the crevices to help control crawlies