The Dogmother Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I have just been proofing a website and found this information in the description of an anti-louse product.... Lice will breed in straw, particularly barley straw so it is essential that where there is a lice infestation, bedding of this nature is treated or destroyed. So... apart from its nasty habit of having a damp under layer, it also encourages the breeding of lice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Thank goodness for Aubiose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 aubiose is pretty nast at this time of year too, hopefully it doesn't rain at the weekend so DH can give them a good clean out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 The thing with straw though is that is is hollow in the middle,sort of tubular if you like, so that can provide a place for a louse to lay eggs,even if its dry. It is why I have avoided it for years & wouldn't recommend it. Thank goodness for Aubiose indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Mmmmmmm. Is this a quote from a particular product? Poultry lice spend their entire life cycle on the bird and cannot breed off their host. The eggs are laid attached to the feathers, rather like human lice lay their eggs (nits) on hair. They are host specific and affect only poultry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 It makes perfect sense for red mite though. Well I always thought so anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 It is from a specific and well-known product OSH. I'd not heard it before either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 Another quote, from a different company this time... Straw can harbour red mite especially from March to September and even more so if it is bought in big bales straight off the field. If you prefer to use straw try and get some chopped straw, by doing this the mites are less likely to be in the straw as they usually live within the blade. Avoid hay as bedding, it builds up mould spores very quickly and as chickens have quite a delicate respiratory system it’s best avoided. Shavings or hemp bedding is much more absorbent than straw, paper bedding is also acceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 Poor Barry chicken's tummy is so sore I have swapped to Barley Straw at the moment - chopped up. I was wondering if the hemcore was making her tummy sore - no sign of lice or mites, but red and raw looking. I also ordered some flowers of suphur off ebay, but thought I had to give an alternative to hemcore a go (And I had run out!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 We use easichick & shredded paper now. We used to use Barley straw! Everyone learns from their mistakes eh? Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 Poor Barry chicken's tummy is so sore I have swapped to Barley Straw at the moment - chopped up. I was wondering if the hemcore was making her tummy sore - no sign of lice or mites, but red and raw looking. I also ordered some flowers of suphur off ebay, but thought I had to give an alternative to hemcore a go (And I had run out!!) I haven't seen your chook, but if she has moulted underneath or worn the feathers off, it will look red and sore - the skin is just delicate and not used to being exposed. I'd suggest getting some Johnson's Tea Tree Cream from a pet shop, mixing in some FoS and then applying that, it ought to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I have to say I find the whole nest box thing very frustrating...... We've gone off shredded paper, have used straw, with no probs even tho I know it's not the best thing I have got some Hemcore here, but if I break the bale to use some as bedding will it not get damp in the shed??? At the end of the day it's whatever is best for the girls...... Help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 I use Aubiose in mine and it hasn't gone damp in my shed, which is quite amazing as the shed leaks like a sieve! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I shall give it a try on the weekend after the big clean! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I have a bale of Hemcore in the shed and it is staying perfectly dry. I've had it for about 6 weeks. I don't think it would be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I keep my Aubiose in the shed too. Dry as a bone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dippy bird Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 after reading all your posts about not using straw (which I always have), I have just ordered some auboise(and a few other things) You are right about the straw being soggy - it gets mingin ,especially as the girls are spending more time in their coops. I haven't told my OH yet.. It'll be a nice surprise when it all gets delivered... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 He'll be thrilled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambles Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 I've been using flax for ages on the advice of the Wernlas owner. Messy but effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 what is easychick like? please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 I use a combination of shredded paper and chopped straw in the nest box ... it's good to use, although we've only had them 3 months so can't comment on RM yet fortuately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 5, 2009 Share Posted December 5, 2009 I do use straw but only in hutches for youngsters where it goes on top of a bed of Aubiose in a ring around the covered end of the hutch kind of banked up so the youngsters arent touchng the cold sides of the bedroom I change it regularly and its all powdered with DE Yes would say ts a perfect place for red mites to hide but good husbandry and regular checks are key with ANY bedding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
