[Scoyle]

Hi
I've only had my 3 ex-batts a couple of days and have never had chickens before!
I was wondering when to worm them, I believe twice a year but don't know as they are exbats will they be covered for a while?
Also, when should I dust them with red mite powder?  Did puff some around the coop before they arrived but they are understandably nervous of us at the moment and therefore not easy to get hold of.

Sweetpea

[joyfull]

Are they free ranging or on ground that wild birds have access to? If yes then worm then every 4-6months.
Use diatom in the coup to help prevent redmite and treat your girls with frontline to help prevent mites, lice etc.
Frontline is not licenced for poultry so my vet prescribes the spray for me to use for chickens. All I do is a short quick squirt on the back between their shoulder blades (this way they can't preen it and injest it 

[Scoyle]

Thanks for that.  They have a large run which we have built for them but once the dogs have got used to them we would like to allow them to roam around the garden sometimes.

[hillfooter]

Hi
I've only had my 3 ex-batts a couple of days and have never had chickens before!
I was wondering when to worm them, I believe twice a year but don't know as they are exbats will they be covered for a while?
Also, when should I dust them with red mite powder?  Did puff some around the coop before they arrived but they are understandably nervous of us at the moment and therefore not easy to get hold of.

Sweetpea

If the RM powder is the Barrier stuff don't bother with this in future it's expensive talc for chickens and has no tangible effect on Red Mite but a very tangible effect on your pocket.  Use Diatom and if you want to keep the dust down in the house (a very good idea) add it to a disinfectant base and mix to a light batter slurry and paint on all perches and into all corners & cracks.  Cheap and reasonably effective on all but well established infestations.
HF

[Scoyle]

Thanks for that Hillfooter.