shoura Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 How often do you do it? I mean up close and personal? When I bought my four girls the poultry man said it was a good idea to picke them each up once a week and have good look at beaks, feet, bums, skin etc.....but I have to confess I don't do it (Mainly because of dark mornings/evenings, sorting them out by torch-light in the evenings isn't conducive to intimacy at the moment ) And I just haven't got round to trying to pick them up at the weekends in the cold and wet I have to confess.... anyway, they look just fine to me, no bare bums or other bits, feet look fine from where my eyes are while I'm upright!! They are behaving perfectly normally and appear totally contented in every way and are laying well... So: Do I need to inspect for mites/lice and other problems even if they appear generally fit and healthy? Am I a baaaaad chicken mummy?? I'm kinda thinking that those of you with large numbers of chooks couldn't possibly be inspecting all of them that closely----or could you???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Probably not as often as I should either . It can go weeks and weeks before I'll suddenly remember . It'll be easier in the summer months as they'll be out and about more (and so will we). I wouldn't feel bad, if they were bothered with something, you'd no doubt see a change in their behaviour . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I tend to watch for a behaviour change too although I love to give the girls a cuddle and so I even sometimes remember to check them over at the same time except for Molly - who will not be caught Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Not as often as I should Now all being treated with Ivermectin *not licensed for use on poultry in the UK* to clear up crawlies on two girls. Others seem fine though so it's a precaution with them. I shall be much more thorough in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I tend to pick them up once a week or so ... just so they are used to being handled. And I check then for crawlies. There's one I can't catch though ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Just to echo ANH - not as often as I should and Laura & CTB. We catch them quite often for a special cuddle (which they absolutely love ) but I am sure there are those that can never be caught. In which case it's probably about twice a year that we make sure that we have caught every one (and then they all get a lovely cuddle). But don't feel bad Shoura - we all do our best for our gals that we can. But our worst is a thousand times better than any battery farm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
