Single hen

[Luvachicken]

I've had my girls for a month now, sorry no pics yet but I do have a signature now, but am I doing all the right things ?

I clean them every other day, check them for mites and bugs every couple of days, feed them - obviously, rake their bark chippings and let them ransack my garden every day.....

BUT I haven't done anything else.

Do they need worming yet, dusting with powder of some sort, or given any vitamins ?

Or is there anything else I haven't done that I should have ?

Thanks for any advice xx

[vetty82]

I'll be interested in the replies to this because I was thinking the same thing this morning!!!! We've only been chicken owners since Monday and I'm already feeling guilty that I might not have done something or missed out something important!

 

xx

[quickcluck]

Relax i think you are doing fine Mine only get a clean once a week, and a mega clean every 4, with a run change every 6-8

 

I'd probably worm them in a few weeks though, I am using flubenvet which was recommended on here

 

Hope you are enjoying them!

[cordelia]

I'd say you are both doing the right things...

 

I use diatom powder in the eglu in case of mites...and had a liquid vitamin mix in their water when Henrietta had a cold...and it cleared luckily..

 

but pellets and fresh water and a supply of grit are enough if thats all you want...

 

(I also now have stalosan F sprinkled over the wood chip in their run once a week...(to kill bugs and keep it fresh)

 

but dont worry you seem to be doing everything well..

 

 

(worm perhaps after a few months...3-4...I think....) but dont worry...

 

I'm sure others will have some good ideas for you ...best of luck...

[Luvachicken]

Where do you get the stalosan f from?

[quickcluck]

Mine came from here

 

http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Stalosan_F_Disinfectant.html

[vetty82]

I have a tube of something from the omlet shop called diatomaceus earth and another tube called red mite powder.......

 

What do I do with it?!?!?!?!

[quickcluck]

I sprinkle mine everywhere, in the nest box, dust bath and under their roosting bars!

[Hen Watch]

I have a tube of something from the omlet shop called diatomaceus earth and another tube called red mite powder.......

 

What do I do with it?!?!?!?!

 

Red Mite Powder - I've never bought any as luckily I have never had any in my 2 yrs of eglu ownership but am vigilants as it could happen. You use it on the birds to kill the little night time blood suckers (so best applied at night) and in the housing. Or as a preventative in nooks and crannies in the housing.

 

DE - Diatomaceus Earth - I do have this. It shrivels up parasites like lice or worms. I personally use it as a preventative by putting a bit in their food (for worms) or sprinkling some in their dustbath (for lice). However, I regularily use Flubenvet wormer every 3 months to guard against worms.

[Hen Watch]

I've had my girls for a month now, sorry no pics yet but I do have a signature now, but am I doing all the right things ?

I clean them every other day, check them for mites and bugs every couple of days, feed them - obviously, rake their bark chippings and let them ransack my garden every day.....

BUT I haven't done anything else.

Do they need worming yet, dusting with powder of some sort, or given any vitamins ?

Or is there anything else I haven't done that I should have ?

Thanks for any advice xx

 

Pot of grit.

 

These are not essential. Mine get a bit of Poultry Spice (general suppliment) in their food every now and again (maybe once a week or when I remember ). I do use AVC (apple cider vinegar which you get from horse supply shops) once or twice a week in their water for general condition/digestion.

 

Worming - I use Flubenvet (bought online). I'd had my chickens for 10 months and not seen any worms so had not wormed them. But then after a drop in egg production I thought I'd try it. Gave the medication and to my horror saw dead worms in their poo.... So now it's every 3 months regardless.

[chickenanne]

I would add lice/mite powder to the housing when you clean it, as a precaution.

I would definitely recommend you give them grit though.

Worming I'd say every three-four months.

I wouldn't use any extra supplements as the feed should contain all the things they need.

It sounds like you're doing great! They are easy to keep so don't worry about looking for complexities !

[Luvachicken]

Thanks all for putting my mind at rest. I think I will go to the horsey shop and get them some stuff tomorrow.

[chelsea]

You sound like you are doing everything perfectly.

 

here's a low down on our routine

 

 

I poo pick every day

Cube dismantle and power wash every saturday (red mite powder sprinkled in cube)

Aubiose gets replaced every 3-6 weeks (weather/rain dependant)

"nit nurse" hunt for bugs every 2 weeks or so

Lice preventative spray with Johnsons anti mite spray (once a month)

worming every 3-4 months

 

 

You soon get into a routine and as you are into a regular one with your girls you will soon spot any signs of illness/bugs quite quickly.