4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Steve.]

Apart from my feather problems ... today we've only had 3 thin-shelled eggs, all of which were broken (but not eaten) before I got to them.

 

Had a couple of thin-shelled eggs yesterday which also broke.

 

Normally my chooks give 8 a day.

 

I've been working downstairs - and maybe it's the heat but they have just been sitting around all day - hardly moving at all. I've put the other shade on, but they have much more shade in their new position than they did last year.

 

I did give the run a good sprinkling of Stalosan F over the weekend - I wonder if they've been eating that which might have put them off laying.

 

So *NO* eggs today

 

They have grit available - and also some sprinkled in their food.

 

Finally - on Saturday night at 9pm they made a massive commotion - I could hear it from a room at the front of the house - maybe they saw a fox or something (or maybe a leaf moved) and 7 were in the run, and one hiding in the freshly cleaned nestbox and did a bit runny poo!

 

Just trying everything we can - Stupid Chooks!

[Egluntyne]

A fright can stop them laying.

 

Because of their feather issues, a calcium supplement might be a good idea.

 

ZolcalD or Limestone flour might be a good idea. Limestone flour is available at equestrian shops or via ebay as sold for reptiles. A dollop of cod liver oil added to their pellets will help them absorb it.

[Steve.]

A intact egg was delivered this evening ...

 

I went to the local pet store and picked up some Johnsons Antimite Spray ... and will zap them with that probably tomorrow night - and then try the other suggestion you made Egluntine when I can give them and the run a good scrub.

 

I have a horsey shop nearby - I'll drop in and have a look - I need some more Garlic powder anyway

 

They all seem a bit sad today ...

 

As always - your help and knowledge is appreciated!

[quickcluck]

I think there may be an egg withdrawal period with the anti mite spray, I'm not sure...... egulutine may be back soon

[Steve.]

I think there may be an egg withdrawal period with the anti mite spray, I'm not sure...... egulutine may be back soon

 

Yes there is - a couple of days - I suspect they may be having a lot of scrambled egg!

 

EDIT: Seems to be a week .... eekk!

Edited June 1, 2009 by Guest

[Steve.]

Had another close inspection this evening.

 

Did find some really tiny dots - though looked more like mud - and nothing moved.

 

About the size of this full-stop --> .

 

Even under a magnifying glass + my specs + bright ligh we couldn't see any legs or anything.

 

Have got an up-to-date chicken book but it's from my boys and my birthday isn't till later in the year

 

Oh - the spray I got is:

Anti-Mite (Extra)A water based pump spray.

 

Kills redmite, northern mite, lice & other common external parasites. Suitable for direct use on cage birds and pigeons.

 

Contains permethrin for lasting protection.

 

M044 150ml Pump Spray

[Budgies]

 

Yes there is - a couple of days - I suspect they may be having a lot of scrambled egg!

 

Don't forget that if you feed them their own eggs back you may give them additional dosage of the wormer or any meds they may be on!

[..lay a little egg for me]

Had another close inspection this evening.

 

Did find some really tiny dots - though looked more like mud - and nothing moved.

 

About the size of this full-stop --> .

 

Even under a magnifying glass + my specs + bright ligh we couldn't see any legs or anything.

 

Have got an up-to-date chicken book but it's from my boys and my birthday isn't till later in the year

 

Oh - the spray I got is:

Anti-Mite (Extra)A water based pump spray.

 

Kills redmite, northern mite, lice & other common external parasites. Suitable for direct use on cage birds and pigeons.

 

Contains permethrin for lasting protection.

 

M044 150ml Pump Spray

 

If you inspect the coop after dark with the aid of a torch and squash and smear any full stop sized dots, if they are red mite they will leave a red/dark smear (the blood they have taken from your chooks). If the dots are just dots there will be no red smear. Look under the perches especially.

[Steve.]

Thanks folks.

 

My wife found a Red Mite on the top of the weldmesh at the front of the run ... at 2pm in the afternoon

 

Zapped them all this evening with Johnson Mite Spray .... found it easy to hold them by their feet (I am expert in this now) in an unceremonious pose.

 

I probably should have worn gloves ... I guess at least I'm also Mite free.

 

This weekend going to clean the cube/run - got some Dettol at hand for a washdown (it was the best I could do) and will spray the chooks again.

 

Got some Limestone Flour in their feed - and a good dose of protein to help their feathers ...

[quickcluck]

Does your chicken shop sell Poultry sheild? That helps against red mite...

[Steve.]

Does your chicken shop sell Poultry sheild? That helps against red mite...

 

No they don't

[quickcluck]

bummer! Well use your dettol and maybe order some online for next time! Good luck!

 

I have to ask, do you hang your chooks upside down when you dust them with the RM powder?

[Steve.]

bummer! Well use your dettol and maybe order some online for next time! Good luck!

 

I have to ask, do you hang your chooks upside down when you dust them with the RM powder?

 

I've not dusted them with powder - just the spray.

 

I didn't know they could have the powder

 

Yes I hold them by the legs - they are quite cooperative in this position. Apart from head-chook who is a bit grumpy. It's quite easy to then pop them back in the coop sideways with no ill effect.

 

Oh, and the swing-the-chicken-thing-to-make-it-sleep, er, does work.

[quickcluck]

Ha!!! I've never had the courage to do it!

[Steve.]

So yesterday:

 

* Put together Chook Holiday Home

* Move Chooks from main run to Holiday Home

* Take Eglu apart

* Clear out run-material

* Power-wash the rest of the run-material

* Power-wash Eglu

* Wipe Eglu down with Dettol ( I love the smell of this stuff ... almost as good as TCP )

* Put Stalosan F on Run to disinfect it

* Wash each chicken in an anti-mite shampoo to remove any remaining nasties (some chooks enjoyed it, some hated the bath) which was loads of fun (not)

* Inserted very annoyed Chickens into Run

* Added 300 litres of bark as new run material

 

Even this morning they seem really grumpy!

 

So - if I stop feeding them layers-pellets, and just give corn, will this 'turn off' laying eggs and 'turn on' growing feathers?

 

Will be giving them extra protein, and limestone flour with whatever they have - thanks!

[Budgies]

Wow, what a lot of work you did!!

 

The girls will be a bit alarmed at the movement etc so don't fret if they're off lay the next couple of days.

 

Just one point - I'm not sure I'd use Dettol again when cleaning stuff out. Things like Jeyes Fluid that turn white in water are highly toxic to many animals - a cat will die if it licks its paws having walked in a bowl with any Dettol in it.

 

I'd invest in some Poultry Shield or similar, which is safe for chooks and helps to eradicate redmite too!

[Steve.]

I think Dettol + Chickens is not a combination that results in chickens popping their clogs, er, had maybe a little accident with mixing up the buckets. They are all fine still

 

Got 8 eggs today ...

 

Will get some Poultry Shield if I find a local store that sells it ... my local Countrywide don't seem to have any.